High-Performance Secondary Batteries: Recent Processes and Future Challenges

A special issue of Batteries (ISSN 2313-0105). This special issue belongs to the section "Battery Materials and Interfaces: Anode, Cathode, Separators and Electrolytes or Others".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 4590

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: controllable design and device assembly of high-performance secondary battery (lithium, zinc, etc.) electrodes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increased use of low-carbon energy is enhancing the demand for advanced secondary batteries. Beyond lithium-ion batteries, innovative alternatives such as sodium, potassium, aqueous zinc, and magnesium ion batteries have garnered attention in recent years. This Special Issue welcomes the submission of research addressing high-performance secondary batteries, the exploration of innovative materials, enhanced electrochemical performance, and improved safety and stability. Such studies will lead to vital advances in the development of battery technology and broaden the horizon for future energy storage solutions.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: lithium-ion batteries and post-lithium-ion batteries, including sulfur-based batteries, sodium/potassium/zinc-ion batteries, and metal–air batteries.

Dr. Yuejiao Chen
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

  • Li/Na/K/Zn/Mg-ion batteries
  • electrode materials
  • electrolytes
  • separators
  • metal–air batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • advanced characterizations
  • electrochemical simulation and calculation
  • battery management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 4237 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Stable Anode-Free Na Metal Batteries Enabled by Al2O3-Functionalized Separators
by Han Wang, Yiheng Zhao, Jiaqi Huang, Lu Wang, Canglong Li and Yuejiao Chen
Batteries 2025, 11(8), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11080297 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
The development of anode-free sodium metal batteries (AFSMBs) offers a promising pathway to achieve ultrahigh energy density and cost efficiency inherent to conventional sodium ion/metal batteries. However, irreversible Na plating/stripping and dendritic growth remain critical barriers. Herein, we demonstrate that separator engineering is [...] Read more.
The development of anode-free sodium metal batteries (AFSMBs) offers a promising pathway to achieve ultrahigh energy density and cost efficiency inherent to conventional sodium ion/metal batteries. However, irreversible Na plating/stripping and dendritic growth remain critical barriers. Herein, we demonstrate that separator engineering is a pivotal strategy for stabilizing AFSMBs. Through systematic evaluation of four separators—2500 separator (PP), 2325 separator (PP/PE/PP), glass fiber (GF), and an Al2O3-coated PE membrane, we reveal that the Al2O3-coated separator uniquely enables exceptional interfacial kinetics and morphological control. Na||Na symmetric cells with Al2O3 coated separator exhibit ultralow polarization (4.5 mV) and the highest exchange current density (1.77 × 10−2 mA cm−2), while the anode-free AlC-NFPP full cells retain 91.6% capacity after 150 cycles at 2C. Specifically, the Al2O3 coating homogenizes Na+ flux, promotes dense and planar Na deposition, and facilitates near-complete stripping with minimal “dead Na”. This work establishes ceramic-functionalized separators as essential enablers of practical high-energy AFSMBs. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4023 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Thermal Behavior of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on an Electrochemical–Thermal Coupling Model
by Xing Hu, Hu Xu, Chenglin Ding, Yupeng Tian and Kuo Yang
Batteries 2025, 11(7), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11070280 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 738
Abstract
The escalating demand for efficient thermal management in lithium-ion batteries necessitates precise characterization of their thermal behavior under diverse operating conditions. This study develops a three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical–thermal coupling model grounded in porous electrode theory and energy conservation principles. The model solves multi-physics [...] Read more.
The escalating demand for efficient thermal management in lithium-ion batteries necessitates precise characterization of their thermal behavior under diverse operating conditions. This study develops a three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical–thermal coupling model grounded in porous electrode theory and energy conservation principles. The model solves multi-physics equations such as Fick’s law, Ohm’s law, and the Butler–Volmer equation, to resolve coupled electrochemical and thermal dynamics, with temperature-dependent parameters calibrated via the Arrhenius equation. Simulations under varying discharge rates reveal that high-rate discharges exacerbate internal heat accumulation. Low ambient temperatures amplify polarization effects. Forced convection cooling reduces surface temperatures but exacerbates core-to-surface thermal gradients. Structural optimization strategies demonstrate that enhancing through-thickness thermal conductivity reduces temperature differences. These findings underscore the necessity of balancing energy density and thermal management in lithium-ion battery design, proposing actionable insights such as preheating protocols for low-temperature operation, optimized cooling systems for high-rate scenarios, and material-level enhancements for improved thermal uniformity. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 5921 KiB  
Article
Study on Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Evolution of Composite Copper Foils Following Long-Term Storage
by Yujie Yan, Haibo Chen, Hang Li, Jing Hu, Ziye Xue, Jianli Zhang, Qiang Chen, Guangya Hou and Yiping Tang
Batteries 2025, 11(5), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11050173 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 979
Abstract
Composite copper foil, a novel negative electrode current collector developed in recent years, can significantly enhance battery safety and energy density while also conserving metallic resources. It is found that after 9 months of long-term storage, the tensile strength of the composite copper [...] Read more.
Composite copper foil, a novel negative electrode current collector developed in recent years, can significantly enhance battery safety and energy density while also conserving metallic resources. It is found that after 9 months of long-term storage, the tensile strength of the composite copper foil decreases by 9.76%, and the elongation rate drops by 26.32%. The internal texture of the composite copper foil shifts from a highly oriented (111) plane to a more random crystal plane orientation and the bonding strength is significantly improved. The study reveals that the residual stress within the copper layer provides the driving force for the changes in the microstructure; the intermediate PET layer plays a buffering and absorbing role in the stress-release process. It regulates the redistribution of stress, promoting the alteration of the copper layer’s texture and the refinement of grains. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

37 pages, 8167 KiB  
Review
Ionic Liquids and Ammoniates as Electrolytes for Advanced Sodium-Based Secondary Batteries
by Pablo Hiller-Vallina, Carmen Miralles, Andrés Parra-Puerto and Roberto Gómez
Batteries 2025, 11(4), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11040147 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1770
Abstract
This review aims to provide an up-to-date report on the state of the art of electrolytes based on (quasi-)ionic liquids for sodium batteries. Electrolytes based on conventional ionic liquids are classified into one-anion- and two-anion-type electrolytes according to the number of different anions [...] Read more.
This review aims to provide an up-to-date report on the state of the art of electrolytes based on (quasi-)ionic liquids for sodium batteries. Electrolytes based on conventional ionic liquids are classified into one-anion- and two-anion-type electrolytes according to the number of different anions present in the media. Their application for sodium-based batteries is revised, and the potential advantages of two-anion-type electrolytes are highlighted and rationalized based on the higher tunability of interactions among the different electrolyte components enabled by the presence of two different anionic species. Next, the synthesis and properties of liquid ammonia solvates (aka liquid ammoniates) are presented, with a focus on their use as alternative electrolytes. Attention is paid to some of the outstanding properties of ammoniates, notably, their high conductivity and sodium concentrations, together with their ability to sustain dendrite-free sodium deposition, not only on sodium but also on copper collectors. Finally, the prospects and limitations of these electrolytes for the development of new sodium-based batteries, including anode-less devices, are discussed. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop