A review on the preparation of carboxymethylcellulose-based membrane as polymer electrolyte for energy devices

The growing emphasis on environmental sustainability has driven a notable shift toward using nature-based materials to reduce the ecological impact of industrial and commercial activities. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), derived from cellulose, is emerging as a promising bio-based material due to its renewability and widespread availability. Producing CMC from biomass involves crucial steps—delignification, bleaching, alkalization, and etherification—that impact its final properties, such as solubility and mechanical strength. By carefully optimizing these steps, CMC can be tailored for various applications, including food products, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and energy devices. In solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), achieving optimal ionic conductivity, a key performance factor, typically involves salt addition, plasticizer incorporation, and polymer blending. While salt enhances conductivity, excessive amounts can hinder ion movement. Plasticizers increase flexibility by creating more amorphous regions within the polymer, and polymer blends combine different properties to create a uniform, high-performance material. As the use of CMC in energy devices expands, this review offers valuable guidance on selecting suitable materials to improve CMC-based SPE performance, supporting advancements in energy storage technologies.