Electrospinning and the use of sustainable materials as an alternative to commercial felts as electrode material Michael Thielke, Ana Sobrido Queen Mary University of London, UK Electrospinning is a technique to generate ultrafine fibres, resulting in materials with high surface area and superior mechanical properties. This process can be tailored to produce a variety of functional materials, including electrodes for energy storage devices. Sustainable materials, such as proteins, lignin, and cellulose derivatives, offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional precursors for electrode materials. Lignin, a complex organic polymer found in the cell walls of many plants, has been investigated as a potential precursor for carbon-based electrodes due to its high carbon content. Meanwhile, cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose nanofibers, have been shown to have excellent mechanical properties and can be produced from renewable sources, while proteins contain a high content of heteroatoms that potentially increase the electrocatalytic activity of the fibre surface. The combination of electrospinning and sustainable materials has the potential to produce high-performance, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly electrode materials. This approach could significantly reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes and promote sustainable development in the energy storage industry.
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