Form-stable, crosslinked cellulose-based paper separators for charge storage applications

In the quest for greener and more efficient energy storage solutions, the exploration and utilization of renewable raw materials is essential. In this context, cellulose-derived separators play a central role in enhancing the performance of green energy storage devices. However, these often exhibit disadvantageous porosity and limited wet strength. Here, we demonstrate a facile approach to tailor thickness (ca. 40 μm), air permeability (0.1–200 cm³ s⁻¹), and mechanical properties of separators by integration of up to 50 wt% microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) into paper sheets. While the MFC enhanced the formation of dense networks, these separators show a poor dimensional stability (folding and creasing) concomitant with a low strength under wet conditions, crucial for assembly and operation. Crosslinking with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) however, led to an increase in wet strength by up to 6700 % while ensuring dimensional stability. The electrochemical performance, evaluated by impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling (7500 repetitions) showed comparable results as commercially available glass and polypropylene separators in terms of ion diffusion, charge-discharge rate performance, Ohmic loss and capacitance retention %. The approach demonstrates that disadvantages of paper-based separators in terms of dimensional stability and wet strength can be overcome by a paper technological approach using crosslinking strategies.