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Batteries: 10th Anniversary

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A special issue of Batteries (ISSN 2313-0105).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 8323

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Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib

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Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada
Interests: electrochemistry; rechargeable batteries; electrochromic; carbon
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Batteries, we are pleased to announce a Special Issue dedicated to the latest advancements in energy storage technologies. Over the years, Batteries has been at the forefront of publishing cutting-edge research on battery materials, technologies, and applications. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent breakthroughs, emerging trends, and future directions in the field of energy storage.

We invite researchers to contribute original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address key challenges and opportunities in battery science and technology. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Advanced battery materials and interfaces: novel electrode materials, electrolytes, and separators for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and beyond.
Next-generation batteries: solid-state batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, metal–air batteries, flow batteries, supercapacitors, and other emerging technologies.
Battery safety, diagnostics, and management: thermal management, failure analysis, aging, degradation, and state-of-health monitoring.
Batteries systems and applications: high-energy-density battery packs, fast-charging technologies, battery management systems, electric vehicles, grid storage, portable electronics, and renewable energy integration.
Battery manufacturing, recycling, and sustainability: sustainable production methods, recycling processes, and lifecycle analysis (LCA) and eco-design strategies.

This Special Issue will provide a platform for researchers to share their insights and contribute to the ongoing evolution of battery technologies. We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the remarkable progress in this dynamic field.

Prof. Dr. Karim Zaghib
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Batteries is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

lithium-ion batteries
solid-state batteries
next-generation batteries
sodium-ion batteries
lithium–sulfur batteries
metal–air batteries
supercapacitors
electrode materials
solid electrolytes
battery safety
battery diagnostics and prognostics
battery modeling and simulation
battery degradation mechanisms
battery lifespan optimization
battery management systems
thermal management systems
advanced characterization techniques
AI and machine learning in battery research
high-energy-density batteries
renewable energy integration
electric vehicle batteries
grid-scale energy storage
low-cost battery technologies
fast charging technologies
sustainable battery production
recycling of critical materials
battery recycling and second-life applications

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4693 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experience-Driven NeuroSymbolic System for Efficient Robotic Bolt Disassembly

by Pengxu Chang, Zhigang Wang, Yanlong Peng, Ziwen He and Ming Chen

Batteries 2025, 11(9), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11090332 - 5 Sep 2025

Abstract

With the rapid growth of electric vehicles, the efficient and safe recycling of high-energy battery packs, particularly the removal of structural bolts, has become a critical challenge. This study presents a NeuroSymbolic robotic system for battery disassembly, driven by autonomous learning capabilities. The system integrates deep perception modules, symbolic reasoning, and action primitives to achieve interpretable and efficient disassembly. To improve adaptability, we introduce an offline learning framework driven by a large language model (LLM), which analyzes historical disassembly trajectories and generates optimized action sequences via prompt-based reasoning. This enables the synthesis of new action primitives tailored to familiar scenarios. The system is validated on a real-world UR10e robotic platform across various battery configurations. Experimental results show a 17 s reduction in average disassembly time per bolt and a 154.4% improvement in overall efficiency compared with traditional approaches. These findings demonstrate that combining neural perception, symbolic reasoning, and LLM-guided learning significantly enhances robotic disassembly performance and offers strong potential for generalization in future battery recycling applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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24 pages, 6274 KB

Open AccessArticle

Accurate Prediction of Voltage and Temperature for a Sodium-Ion Pouch Cell Using an Electro-Thermal Coupling Model

by Hekun Zhang, Zhendong Zhang, Yelin Deng and Jianxu Yu

Batteries 2025, 11(8), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080312 - 16 Aug 2025

Viewed by 519

Abstract

Due to their advantages, such as abundant raw material reserves, excellent thermal stability, and superior low-temperature performance, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) exhibit significant potential for future applications in energy storage and electric vehicles. Therefore, in this study, a commercial pouch-type SIB with sodium iron sulfate cathode material was investigated. Firstly, a second-order RC equivalent circuit model was established through parameter identification using multi-rate hybrid pulse power characterization (M-HPPC) tests at various temperatures. Then, both the specific heat capacity and entropy coefficient of the sodium-ion battery were measured through experiments. Building upon this, an electro-thermal coupling model was developed by incorporating a lumped-parameter thermal model that accounts for the heat generation of the tabs. Finally, the prediction performance of this model was validated through discharge tests under different temperature conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed electro-thermal coupling model can achieve the simultaneous prediction of both temperature and voltage, providing valuable references for the future development of thermal management systems for SIBs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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11 pages, 1504 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-Alloy FeSb Wrapped in Three-Dimensional Honeycomb Carbon for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Nanjun Jia, Xinming Nie, Jianwei Li and Wei Qin

Batteries 2025, 11(8), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080305 - 8 Aug 2025

Viewed by 422

Abstract

Sb-based anodes have great potential in lithium-ion batteries because of their relatively high theoretical capacities. However, in general, their volume changes (>150%) during charge and discharge process have a significant impact, which affects their electrochemical performances. In this paper, nano-alloy FeSb wrapped in three-dimensional honeycomb graphite carbon (FeSb@C) was prepared by the freeze-drying method using sodium chloride as a template. The three-dimensional carbon can buffer the volume change in the reaction process, increasing the contact area between the electrode and electrolyte. Furthermore, the addition of metallic iron also increases the overall specific capacity and improves its electrochemical performance. As the anode of a lithium-ion battery, the optimized FeSb@C shows excellent electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 193.0 mAh g⁻¹ at a high current density of 5 A g⁻¹, and a reversible capacity of 607.8 mAh g⁻¹ after 600 cycles of 1 A g⁻¹. It provides an effective strategy for preparing high-performance lithium-ion batteries anode materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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16 pages, 2886 KB

Open AccessArticle

Incremental Capacity-Based Variable Capacitor Battery Model for Effective Description of Charge and Discharge Behavior

by Ngoc-Thao Pham, Sungoh Kwon and Sung-Jin Choi

Batteries 2025, 11(8), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080300 - 5 Aug 2025

Viewed by 401

Abstract

Determining charge and discharge behavior is essential for optimizing charging strategies and evaluating balancing algorithms in battery energy storage systems and electric vehicles. Conventionally, a sequence of circuit simulations or tedious hardware tests is required to evaluate the performance of the balancing algorithm. To mitigate these problems, this paper proposes a variable capacitor model that can be easily built from the incremental capacity curve. This model provides a direct and insightful R-C time constant method for the charge/discharge time calculation. After validating the model accuracy by experimental results based on the cylindrical lithium-ion cell test, a switched-capacitor active balancing and a passive cell balancing circuit are implemented to further verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in calculating the cell balancing time within 2% error. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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19 pages, 2626 KB

Open AccessArticle

Process–Structure–Property Correlations in Twin-Screw Extrusion of Graphitic Negative Electrode Pastes for Lithium Ion Batteries Focusing on Kneading Concentrations

by Kristina Borzutzki, Markus Börner, Olga Fromm, Uta Rodehorst and Martin Winter

Batteries 2025, 11(8), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080299 - 5 Aug 2025

Viewed by 788

Abstract

A continuous mixing process with a twin-screw extruder was investigated for graphite-based negative electrode pastes for high-power applications. In the extrusion-based mixing process, the first kneading concentration is one of the key processing parameters for systematic optimization of relevant electrode paste properties like viscosity and particle size distribution. For different active materials at a constant electrode paste composition, a clear correlation of increasing kneading concentration with decreasing viscosity can be observed up to a certain reversal point, initiating a change in the trend and the rheological behavior, thus indicating a process limit. The fundamental effects causing this change and the associated impact on materials and battery performance were evaluated by applying further analytical methods and electrochemical characterization. It is revealed that the change in viscosity is associated with enhanced de-agglomeration of the carbon black additive and with partial particle grinding of the active material and thus a partial change in the interlayer distance of graphene layers and, correspondingly, the electrochemical behavior of the active material. Beyond this, correlations between processing parameters and product properties are presented. Furthermore, indicators are suggested with which monitoring of the machine parameters enables the detection of changes in the electrode paste characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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20 pages, 2939 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigations of Dongyue Series Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes for Applications in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)

by Ge Meng, Xiang Li, Mengjie Liu, Sergey A. Grigoriev, Ivan Tolj, Jiaqi Shen, Chaonan Yue and Chuanyu Sun

Batteries 2025, 11(7), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11070277 - 20 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 694

Abstract

This study systematically investigated the physicochemical properties and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes with different thicknesses, which were prepared based on the resins produced by Dongyue (China) in comparison with commercial Nafion membranes. It was found that the water uptake of Dongyue membranes is significantly higher than that of Nafion, showing a significant upward trend with the thickness increase. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) of these membranes is ca. 1 mmol·g⁻¹. Moreover, the tensile strength of the Dongyue membrane was positively correlated with the thickness and was significantly higher than that of recast Nafion. Under 80 °C, all Dongyue membranes with various thicknesses (15~45 μm) exhibited PEMFC single-cell performance superior to that of Nafion. The maximum power density is observed with a thickness of 25 μm, reaching 851.76 mW·cm⁻², which is higher than that of Nafion (635.99 mW·cm⁻²). However, the oxidative stability of the prepared Dongyue PFSA series membranes exhibits a slight deficit compared to commercial Nafion membranes. Subsequently, the modification and optimization of preparation processes can be employed to improve the mechanical and chemical stability of Dongyue PFSA membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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21 pages, 13514 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis via CFD Simulation on the Impact of Graphite Anode Morphologies on the Discharge of a Lithium-Ion Battery

by Alessio Lombardo Pontillo, Agnese Marcato, Daniele Versaci, Daniele Marchisio and Gianluca Boccardo

Batteries 2025, 11(7), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11070252 - 2 Jul 2025

Viewed by 679

Abstract

The morphology of electrode materials plays a crucial role in determining the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Traditional computational models often simplify graphite flakes as uniformly sized spheres, which limits their predictive accuracy. In this study, we present a computational workflow that overcomes these limitations by incorporating a more realistic representation of graphite morphologies. This workflow is designed to be flexible and reproducible, enabling efficient evaluation of electrochemical performance across diverse material structures. By exploring different graphite morphologies, our approach accelerates the optimization of material preparation techniques and processing conditions. Our findings reveal that incorporating greater morphological complexity leads to significant deviations from classical model predictions. Instead, our refined model offers a more accurate representation of battery discharge behavior, closely aligning with experimental data. This improvement underscores the importance of detailed morphological descriptions in advancing battery design and performance assessments. To promote accessibility and reproducibility, we provide the developed code for seamless integration with the COMSOL API, allowing researchers to implement and adapt it easily. This computational framework serves as a valuable tool for investigating the impact of graphite morphology on battery performance, bridging the gap between theoretical modeling and experimental validation to enhance lithium-ion battery technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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18 pages, 1972 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lithium Growth on Alloying Substrates and Effect on Volumetric Expansion

by Laura C. Merrill, Robert L. Craig, Damion P. Cummings and Julia I. Deitz

Batteries 2025, 11(7), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11070249 - 29 Jun 2025

Viewed by 456

Abstract

The widespread implementation of next-generation Li metal anodes is limited, in part, due to the formation of dendritic and/or mossy electrodeposits during cycling. These morphologies can lead to battery failure due to the formation of short circuits and significant volumetric expansion at the anode. One strategy to control the electrodeposition of Li metal is to use lithiophilic materials at the anode. Here, we evaluate the impact of Ag and Au on the early stages of Li metal electrodeposition and cycling. The alloying substrates decrease the voltage for Li reduction and improve Li wetting/adhesion. We probe volumetric expansion directly through dilatometry measurements and find that the degree of volumetric expansion is less when lithium is cycled on an alloying substrate compared to a non-alloying substrate (Cu). Dilatometry experiments reveal that Au has the least amount of volumetric expansion and coin cell cycling experiments indicate that Ag yields more stable cycling compared to Au or Cu. The evaluation of in situ cross-sectional images of cycled coin cells shows that Ag has the lowest volumetric expansion in a coin cell format. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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25 pages, 8273 KB

Open AccessArticle

Laser Printing of Silicon-Containing Anodes with Polyacrylic Acid

by Ulrich Rist and Wilhelm Pfleging

Batteries 2025, 11(5), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11050191 - 14 May 2025

Viewed by 721

Abstract

To enhance the performance of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, high-capacity silicon is increasingly introduced as active material for anodes. Furthermore, advanced batteries with new electrode architectures—so-called 3D architectures—can provide significantly enhanced electrochemical performance compared to state-of-the-art batteries. To facilitate and speed up the architectural development, the laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) process was applied as a digital additive manufacturing method. As polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), the binder commonly used in the LIFT process, is not a suitable binder for silicon-containing electrodes due to its weak binding forces, polyacrylic acid (PAA) was introduced as a binder for use in printable electrode pastes. Since water as a solvent in such pastes evaporates quickly and the corresponding printing time would be too short, glycerol was added to the solvent mixture in different amounts. The silicon in the printed electrodes reaches a specific capacity of more than 3000 mAh

\cdot g^{- 1}

for most of the printed anodes. To further improve the electrochemical performance of the printed electrodes, as well as the rheology of the slurries, two different conductive additives with different particle sizes were used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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Review

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31 pages, 7431 KB

Open AccessReview

Breaking the Polarization Bottleneck: Innovative Pathways to High-Performance Metal–Air Batteries

by Biao Ma, Deling Hong, Xiangfeng Wei and Jiehua Liu

Batteries 2025, 11(8), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080315 - 19 Aug 2025

Viewed by 706

Abstract

Metal–air batteries have excellent theoretical energy density and economic advantages through abundant anode materials and open cathode structures. However, the actual energy efficiency of metal–air batteries is much lower than the theoretical value due to the effect of polarization voltage during battery operation, limiting the power output and thus hindering their practical application. This review systematically dissects the origins of polarization: slow oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) kinetics, interfacial resistance, and mass transfer bottlenecks. We highlight cutting-edge strategies to mitigate polarization, including atomic-level engineering of air cathodes (e.g., single-atom catalysts, low Pt catalysts), biomass-derived 3D porous electrodes, and electrolyte innovations (additives to inhibit corrosion, solid-state electrolytes to improve stability). In addition, breakthroughs in metal–H₂O₂ battery design using concentrated liquid oxygen sources are discussed. Together, these advances alleviate the battery polarization bottleneck and pave the way for practical applications of metal–air batteries in electric vehicles, drones, and deep-sea devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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117 pages, 10736 KB

Open AccessReview

Design Principles and Engineering Strategies for Stabilizing Ni-Rich Layered Oxides in Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Alain Mauger and Christian M. Julien

Batteries 2025, 11(7), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11070254 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 2038

Abstract

Nickel-rich layered oxides such as LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂ (NMC), LiNi_xCo_yAl_zO₂ (NCA), and LiNi_xMn_yCo_zAl_{(1–x–y–z)}O₂ (NMCA), where x [...] Read more.

Nickel-rich layered oxides such as LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂ (NMC), LiNi_xCo_yAl_zO₂ (NCA), and LiNi_xMn_yCo_zAl_{(1–x–y–z)}O₂ (NMCA), where x ≥ 0.6, have emerged as key cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries due to their high operating voltage and superior energy density. These materials, characterized by low cobalt content, offer a promising path toward sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions. However, their electrochemical performance remains below theoretical expectations, primarily due to challenges related to structural instability, limited thermal safety, and suboptimal cycle life. Intensive research efforts have been devoted to addressing these issues, resulting in substantial performance improvements and enabling the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries with higher nickel content and reduced cobalt dependency. In this review, we present recent advances in material design and engineering strategies to overcome the problems limiting their electrochemical performance (cation mixing, phase stability, oxygen release, microcracks during cycling). These strategies include synthesis methods to optimize the morphology (size of the particles, core–shell and gradient structures), surface modifications of the Ni-rich particles, and doping. A detailed comparison between these strategies and the synergetic effects of their combination is presented. We also highlight the synergistic role of compatible lithium salts and electrolytes in achieving state-of-the-art nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Batteries: 10th Anniversary)

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