Revisiting the role of polymers as renewable and flexible materials for advanced batteries

Electrical energy storage has become one of most interesting topics due to energy and environment crises. Exploration and development of high performance rechargeable batteries are the primary research goals where polymeric materials are key ingredients for these devices. The replacement of traditional redox active materials like metals, metal oxides by innovatively new polymeric materials based on the requirements of structure-property relationships and physical phenomenon that lead the way in sustainably developing high-energy density devices. Such type of energy storage devices ensures the enhanced cycling life, charging speed, flexible batteries fabrication as well as high power densities. In the present review, we discuss the fundamental aspects of polymer science that are employed to facilitate the progress of battery's material aspects. Precisely, designing of polymers is discussed for acquiring the desired chemical interactions, electrical and ionic conductivity and mechanical stability. The role of polymeric species as artificial interface builders and their future developments are also discussed for variety of battery chemistries.