Exploiting biological systems: toward eco-friendly and high-efficiency rechargeable batteries

Abstract

To meet the ever-increasing energy demands and sustainability requirements, next-generation battery systems must provide superior energy densities while employing eco-friendly components. Transition metal oxide-based materials have served as important high-energy-density battery electrodes over the past few decades; however, their further development is challenging as we approach the theoretical limits arising from their crystal structures and constituting elements. Exploiting materials from biological systems, or bio-inspiration, offers an alternative strategy to overcome the conventional energy storage mechanism through the chemical diversity, highly efficient biochemistry, sustainability, and natural abundance provided by these materials. Here, we overview recent progress in biomimetic research focused on novel electrode material design for rechargeable batteries, exploiting redox-active molecules involved in the biometabolism and diverse bioderived materials with various morphologies. Successful demonstrations of energy storage using biomimetic materials that simultaneously exhibit outstanding performance and sustainability would provide insight toward the development of an eco-friendly and high-efficiency energy storage system.