Previous Article in Journal
Electrostatic Targeting of Cancer Cell Membrane Models by NA-CATH:ATRA-1-ATRA-1: A Biophysical Perspective
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Review

Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Systems: A Review

by
Nur Syahirah Faiha Shawalludin
1,2,
Saidatul Sophia Sha’rani
1,
Mohamed Azlan Suhot
3,
Shamsul Sarip
3 and
Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef
1,4,*
1
Advanced Materials Research Group, Centre of Hydrogen Energy, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia
2
Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia
3
Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia
4
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54000, Malaysia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Membranes 2025, 15(10), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15100304
Submission received: 23 August 2025 / Revised: 22 September 2025 / Accepted: 4 October 2025 / Published: 6 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications for Energy)

Abstract

Cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide on earth, possesses desirable properties such as biodegradability, low cost, and low toxicity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Being a non-conductive material, the structure of the nanocellulose can be modified or incorporated with conductive filler to facilitate charge transport between the polymer matrix and conductive components. Recently, cellulose-based ion exchange membranes (IEMs) have gained strong attention as alternatives to environmentally burdening synthetic polymers in electrochemical energy systems, owing to their renewable nature and versatile chemical structure. This article provides a comprehensive review of the structures, fabrication aspects and properties of various cellulose-based membranes for fuel cells and water electrolyzers, batteries, supercapacitors, and reverse electrodialysis (RED) applications. The scope includes an overview of various cellulose-based membrane fabrication methods, different forms of cellulose, and their applications in energy conversion and energy storage systems. The review also discusses the fundamentals of electrochemical energy systems, the role of IEMs, and recent advancements in the cellulose-based membranes’ research and development. Finally, it highlights current challenges to their performance and sustainability, along with recommendations for future research directions.
Keywords: nanocellulose; cellulose-based membranes; electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems; fuel cells; batteries; supercapacitors; reverse electrodialysis nanocellulose; cellulose-based membranes; electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems; fuel cells; batteries; supercapacitors; reverse electrodialysis

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Shawalludin, N.S.F.; Sha’rani, S.S.; Suhot, M.A.; Sarip, S.; Nasef, M.M. Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Systems: A Review. Membranes 2025, 15, 304. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15100304

AMA Style

Shawalludin NSF, Sha’rani SS, Suhot MA, Sarip S, Nasef MM. Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Systems: A Review. Membranes. 2025; 15(10):304. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15100304

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shawalludin, Nur Syahirah Faiha, Saidatul Sophia Sha’rani, Mohamed Azlan Suhot, Shamsul Sarip, and Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef. 2025. "Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Systems: A Review" Membranes 15, no. 10: 304. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15100304

APA Style

Shawalludin, N. S. F., Sha’rani, S. S., Suhot, M. A., Sarip, S., & Nasef, M. M. (2025). Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Systems: A Review. Membranes, 15(10), 304. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15100304

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop