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Crystals
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Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials
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Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials for Energy Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 8728

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bhargav Akkinepally

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: solid electrolytes; Li batteries; Li-air batteries; molecular dynamics simulations; supercapacitors; energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mengjie Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
Interests: green hydrogen; fuel cell and electrolyzer; electrochemistry; catalysis; membranes; material science; chemical engineer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In our ever-evolving quest for sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions, research on electrolytes and energy storage materials takes center stage as a topic of paramount importance. The relentless growth in demand for cleaner and more reliable energy sources has heightened the significance of this field. Batteries, capacitors, and emerging energy storage technologies are central to addressing these global challenges, making it vital to advance our understanding of electrolytes and energy storage materials.

Electrolytes serve as the lifeblood of energy storage systems, enabling the movement of ions and the flow of electrical energy. Research in this field is dedicated to optimizing these crucial components, with a focus on enhancing performance, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Our Special Issue is an invitation to researchers, scientists, and engineers to contribute their original research, reviews, and perspectives on this subject. We aim to create a comprehensive repository of knowledge, fostering the exchange of insights and ideas and providing a platform for the dissemination of groundbreaking research on electrolytes and energy storage materials.

Call for Contributions:
We welcome your contributions to this Special Issue as your research plays a crucial role in advancing the field. Your insights will aid in the development of sustainable, efficient, and reliable energy storage solutions, paving the way for a future that is less dependent on fossil fuels and more committed to cleaner and more responsible energy technologies.

Dr. Bhargav Akkinepally
Dr. Mengjie Chen
Guest Editors

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. Crystals 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 2100 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

  • electrolytes
  • energy storage materials
  • batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • lithium-ion batteries
  • solid-state electrolytes
  • charge-discharge mechanisms
  • green technology
  • sustainable materials
  • next-generation energy storage

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

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3118 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Study of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene)-Based Composite Solid Electrolytes
by Meihong Huang, Lingxiao Lan, Pengcheng Shen, Zhiyong Liang, Feng Wang, Yuling Zhong, Chaoqun Wu, Fanxiao Kong and Qicheng Hu
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 982; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110982 - 14 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 807
Abstract
Solid-state electrolytes are widely anticipated to revitalize lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and safety. However, low ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance at room temperature pose challenges for practical applications. This study combines the rigid oxide electrolyte LLZTO with the flexible polymer [...] Read more.
Solid-state electrolytes are widely anticipated to revitalize lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and safety. However, low ionic conductivity and high interfacial resistance at room temperature pose challenges for practical applications. This study combines the rigid oxide electrolyte LLZTO with the flexible polymer electrolyte poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) to achieve effective coupling of rigidity and flexibility. The semi-interpenetrating network structure endows the PEL composite solid electrolyte with excellent lithium-ion transport capabilities, resulting in an ionic conductivity of up to 5.1 × 10−4 S cm−1 and lithium-ion transference number of 0.41. The assembled LiFePO4/PEL/Li solid-state battery demonstrates an initial discharge capacity of 132 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.1 C. After 100 charge–discharge cycles, the capacity retention is 81%. This research provides a promising strategy for preparing composite solid electrolytes in solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials)
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12 pages, 2285 KiB  
Article
Lithium Volatilization and Phase Changes during Aluminum-Doped Cubic Li6.25La3Zr2Al0.25O12 (c-LLZO) Processing
by Steven T. Montoya, Shah A. H. Shanto and Robert A. Walker
Crystals 2024, 14(9), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14090795 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1483
Abstract
Stabilized Li6.25La3Al0.25 Zr2O12 (cubic LLZO or c-LLZO) is a Li+-conducting ceramic with ionic conductivities approaching 1 mS-cm. Processing c-LLZO so that it is suitable for use as a solid state electrolyte [...] Read more.
Stabilized Li6.25La3Al0.25 Zr2O12 (cubic LLZO or c-LLZO) is a Li+-conducting ceramic with ionic conductivities approaching 1 mS-cm. Processing c-LLZO so that it is suitable for use as a solid state electrolyte in all solid state batteries, however, is challenging due to the formation of secondary phases at elevated temperatures. The work described in this manuscript examines the formation of one such secondary phase La2Zr2O7 (LZO) formed during sintering c-LLZO at 1000 °C. Specifically, spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements have identified gradients in Li distributions in the Li ion (Li+)-conducting ceramic Li6.25La3Al0.25 Zr2O12 (cubic LLZO or c-LLZO) created by thermal processing. Sintering c-LLZO under conditions relevant to solid state Li+ electrolyte fabrication conditions lead to Li+ loss and the formation of new phases. Specifically, sintering for 1 h at 1000 °C leads to Li+ depletion and the formation of the pyrochlore lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7 or LZO), a material known to be both electronically and ionically insulating. Circular c-LLZO samples are covered on the top and bottom surfaces, exposing only the 1.6 mm-thick sample perimeter to the furnace’s ambient air. Sintered samples show a radially symmetric LZO gradient, with more LZO at the center of the pellet and considerably less LZO at the edges. This profile implies that Li+ diffusion through the material is faster than Li+ loss through volatilization, and that Li+ migration from the center of the sample to the edges is not completely reversible. These conditions lead to a net depletion of Li+ at the sample center. Findings presented in this work suggest new strategies for LLZO processing that will minimize Li+ loss during sintering, leading to a more homogeneous material with more reproducible electrochemical behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials)
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18 pages, 4517 KiB  
Article
TCAD-Based Design and Optimization of Flexible Organic/Si Tandem Solar Cells
by Marwa S. Salem, Mohamed Okil, Ahmed Shaker, Mohamed Abouelatta, Mostafa M. Salah, Kawther A. Al-Dhlan and Michael Gad
Crystals 2024, 14(7), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14070584 - 25 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1844
Abstract
In order to surmount the Shockley–Queisser efficiency barrier of single-junction solar devices, tandem solar cells (TSCs) have shown a potential solution. Organic and Si materials can be promising candidates for the front and rear cells in TSCs due to their non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and [...] Read more.
In order to surmount the Shockley–Queisser efficiency barrier of single-junction solar devices, tandem solar cells (TSCs) have shown a potential solution. Organic and Si materials can be promising candidates for the front and rear cells in TSCs due to their non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and possible complementary bandgap properties. This study researches a flexible two-terminal (2-T) organic/Si TSC through TCAD simulation. In the proposed configuration, the organic solar cell (OSC), with a photoactive optical bandgap of 1.78 eV, serves as the front cell, while the rear cell comprises a Si cell based on a thin 70 μm wafer, with a bandgap energy of 1.12 eV. The individual standalone front and bottom cells, upon calibration, demonstrate power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.11% and 22.69%, respectively. When integrated into a 2-T organic/Si monolithic TSC, the resultant tandem cell achieves a PCE of 20.03%, indicating the need for optimization of the top organic cell to beat the efficiency of the bottom Si cell. To enhance the performance of the OSC, some design ideas are presented. Firstly, the OSC is designed by omitting the organic hole transport layer (HTL). Consequently, through engineering the front contact work function, the PCE is enhanced. Moreover, the influence of varying the absorber defect density of the top cell on TSC performance is investigated. Reduced defect density led to an overall efficiency improvement of the tandem cell to 23.27%. Additionally, the effects of the variation of the absorber thicknesses of the top and rear cells on TSC performance metrics are explored. With the matching condition design, the tandem efficiency is enhanced to 27.60%, with VOC = 1.81 V and JSC = 19.28 mA/cm2. The presented simulation results intimate that the OSC/Si tandem design can find applications in wearable electronics due to their flexibility, environmentally friendly design, and high efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials)
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13 pages, 5993 KiB  
Article
Melamine Cyanaurate Microrods Decorated with SnO2 Quantum Dots for Photoelectrochemical Applications
by Itheereddi Neelakanta Reddy, Bhargav Akkinepally, Moorthy Dhanasekar, Jaesool Shim and Cheolho Bai
Crystals 2024, 14(4), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14040302 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1677
Abstract
This study employs a simple and cost-effective technique to enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance of melamine cyanaurate microrods (M), SnO2 nanostructures (S), and melamine cyanaurate microrods decorated with SnO2 quantum dots (MS) by optimizing NaOH and Na2SO3 [...] Read more.
This study employs a simple and cost-effective technique to enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting performance of melamine cyanaurate microrods (M), SnO2 nanostructures (S), and melamine cyanaurate microrods decorated with SnO2 quantum dots (MS) by optimizing NaOH and Na2SO3 electrolytes. Notably, the MS electrode demonstrates a remarkable improvement in PEC efficiency in Na2SO3 solution associated with NaOH solution. Specifically, the induced currents of the MS anode in the Na2SO3 electrolyte are approximately 6.28 mAcm−2 more than those observed in the NaOH electrolyte solution. It is revealed that SO32− anions effectively consume the holes, leading to improved separation of the generated charge pairs. This effective charge separation mechanism significantly contributes to the enhanced PEC performance observed in Na2SO3 electrolytes. The findings of this study suggest a capable approach for improving the PEC activity of the materials through the careful optimization of the supported electrolytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials)
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11 pages, 28503 KiB  
Article
Growth, Structure, and Electrical Properties of AgNbO3 Antiferroelectric Single Crystal
by Dengxiaojiang Zhao, Zhenpei Chen, Borui Li, Shi Feng and Nengneng Luo
Crystals 2024, 14(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14030235 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2162
Abstract
AgNbO3 (AN) lead-free antiferroelectric material has attracted great attention in recent years. However, little focus has been directed toward a single crystal that can provide more basic information. In this study, we successfully grew high-quality AN single crystals, using a flux method, [...] Read more.
AgNbO3 (AN) lead-free antiferroelectric material has attracted great attention in recent years. However, little focus has been directed toward a single crystal that can provide more basic information. In this study, we successfully grew high-quality AN single crystals, using a flux method, with dimensions of 5 × 5 × 3 mm3. A systematic investigation into the crystal structure, domain structure, and electrical properties of a [001]-oriented AN single crystal was conducted. X-ray diffraction and domain structure analysis revealed an orthorhombic phase structure at room temperature. Stripe-like 90° domains aligning parallel to the [110] direction with a thickness of approximately 10–20 μm were observed using a polarized light microscope. The temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity showed M1-M2, M2-M3, and M3-O phase transitions along with increasing temperature, but the phase transition temperatures were slightly higher than those of ceramic. The AN single crystal also exhibited double polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops, which enabled good recoverable energy-storage density and efficiency comparable to ceramic. Additionally, double P-E loops were kept stable at various temperatures and frequencies, demonstrating robust stability and confirming typical antiferroelectric characteristics. Our work provides valuable insights into understanding the fundamental antiferroelectric properties of AN-based materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Electrolytes and Energy Storage Materials)
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