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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

A Review of Modified Cellulose for Electrochemical Energy Storage with a Multiphysics Framework for Quaternized Bagasse Nanocellulose/Al₂O₃–PEO Composite Electrolytes in Solid-State Batteries

  1. Dipak A. Nikam Department of Mechanical Engineering, G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur
  2. Rupesh S. Shelke Department of Mechanical Engineering, G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur

Abstract

A critical review of modified cellulose for electrochemical energy storage is integrated with a potassium-specific multiphysics framework using cellulose obtainable from India-relevant feedstocks, including sugarcane bagasse, cotton/cotton stalk, banana pseudostem, Hibiscus/kenaf-type biomass, and other agricultural residues. The framework addresses the coupled requirements of ambient-temperature ionic transport, K⁺ selectivity, and mechanical integrity in solid polymer electrolytes. A hierarchical QCNF@Al₂O₃/PEO₁₆–KTFSI₁ architecture is evaluated in which quaternized bagasse cellulose nanofibers provide percolated reinforcement and fixed cationic sites for partial TFSI⁻ immobilization, while low-loading Al₂O₃ acts primarily as an interfacial modifier. A literature-bounded reduced-order model couples Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher transport, composite crystallinity, fixed-charge-mediated transference enhancement, interfacial effects, filler tortuosity, and percolation reinforcement. The Pareto-knee composition, 4 wt% QCNF + 2 wt% Al₂O₃ at effective DS=0.30, gives nominal predictions of σ₂₅=7.33×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹, tK=0.391, σK,₂₅=2.86×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹, and G′₂₅=5.55 MPa. Relative to PEO₁₆–KTFSI₁, it increases total and K⁺-specific conductivity by 2.06 and 4.73 times, respectively, while reducing the concentration-polarization proxy by 64.3%. Monte Carlo propagation (20,000 realizations) provides uncertainty intervals for transport and modulus. Thickness-dependent resistance and thermal safety are treated as explicit validation variables: area-specific bulk resistance scales as L/σ, and TGA must confirm a decomposition onset well above the 25–55 °C operating window. The framework identifies a directly testable formulation and validation pathway combining structural characterization, EIS, transference-number measurement, rheology, K-metal symmetric cells, and Prussian-blue full cells.

Keywords

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