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Gels
Special Issues
Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes
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Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes

A Special Issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861) belonging to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2026) | Viewed by 6894

Editors

Dr. Katarzyna Szcześniak

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Guest Editor
Department of Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: polymers; star polymer; ATRP; chemical physics; polymerization kinetics; photopolymerization; biopolymers; drug delivery systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Agnieszka Marcinkowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: photopolymerization; nanocomposites; hybrid polymeric materials; solid-state electrolytes; polymer gels; photocurable coatings; biomaterials; polymers in pharmacy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Piotr Gajewski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Polymers, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: photopolymerization; polymer electrolytes-synthesis and application; ionogels; hydrogels; statistical analysis; kinetic of photopolymerization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue entitled “Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes” addresses the growing demand for safer and more reliable energy storage systems. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) have emerged as a key focus in this field, offering advantages such as enhanced mechanical stability, minimized leakage risks, and better compatibility with advanced electrode materials. These properties make them a promising alternative to traditional liquid electrolytes. This Special Issue explores a variety of topics, including the development of innovative polymer matrices, hybrid systems combining nanomaterials or ionic liquids, and new methods to improve ionic conductivity and thermal stability. Applications covered range from lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries to emerging technologies like lithium–sulfur batteries, solid-state systems, and flexible or wearable energy devices. In addition, mechanistic studies on ion transport and polymer interactions provide valuable insights into the behavior of these materials. The Special Issue invites submissions that include original research, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives on topics such as material design, device integration, modeling, and sustainable approaches. By bringing together diverse expertise, this collection aims to advance GPE research and its practical implementation in next-generation energy technologies.

Dr. Katarzyna Szcześniak
Dr. Agnieszka Marcinkowska
Dr. Piotr Gajewski
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels 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

  • gel polymer electrolytes
  • energy storage
  • lithium-ion batteries
  • ionic conductivity
  • polymer materials
  • sustainable energy systems

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 3544 KB  
Article
Choline Lactate Photocured Hydrogels for Sustainable Low-Temperature Supercapacitors
by Joanna Fijałkowska, Julianna Czerniawska, Beata Sikora, Wiktoria Patz, Julia Marecka, Łukasz Popenda, Piotr Gajewski, Katarzyna Szcześniak and Agnieszka Marcinkowska
Gels 2026, 12(7), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12070623 - 10 Jul 2026
Viewed by 533
Abstract
The growing demand for flexible and environmentally friendly energy storage systems has increased interest in new electrolyte materials capable of operating at low temperatures. In this work, hydrogel polymer electrolytes based on aqueous choline lactate solutions were developed and evaluated for supercapacitor applications. [...] Read more.
The growing demand for flexible and environmentally friendly energy storage systems has increased interest in new electrolyte materials capable of operating at low temperatures. In this work, hydrogel polymer electrolytes based on aqueous choline lactate solutions were developed and evaluated for supercapacitor applications. Choline lactate was synthesized from biodegradable and low-toxicity substrates and characterized using spectroscopic and thermal analysis methods. A series of aqueous electrolytes with different salt concentrations was prepared, and their viscosity, density, and ionic conductivity were investigated to determine the optimal composition for hydrogel preparation. The obtained hydrogels were synthesized by photopolymerization and showed good flexibility, transparency, and structural stability without electrolyte leakage. Thermal analysis revealed that the presence of choline lactate effectively suppressed water crystallization, reducing the phase transition temperature of the hydrogel systems below −44 °C. Ionic conductivity increased with electrolyte content and reached 22.3 mS·cm−1 at room temperature for the hydrogel containing 90 wt% electrolyte. Mechanical measurements showed that increasing electrolyte concentration improved flexibility but reduced stiffness and compressive strength. Electrochemical tests demonstrated stable supercapacitor operation in the temperature range from 25 °C to −20 °C, although lower temperatures led to decreased capacitance and increased internal resistance. The results indicate that choline lactate-based hydrogels are promising candidates for sustainable low-temperature energy storage devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes)
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16 pages, 3519 KB  
Article
Preparation of Gel Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Solid-State Batteries and Its Failure Behavior at Different Temperatures
by Renji Tan, Xinghua Liang, Qiankun Hun, Chunbo Lan, Lingxiao Lan and Yifeng Guo
Gels 2026, 12(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12020121 - 29 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1502
Abstract
The stability of the electrolyte is very important for the development of high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries. To improve the stability of electrolyte performance, it is essential to first understand the causes of its deterioration. Physically speaking, the degradation of electrolyte performance is mainly [...] Read more.
The stability of the electrolyte is very important for the development of high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries. To improve the stability of electrolyte performance, it is essential to first understand the causes of its deterioration. Physically speaking, the degradation of electrolyte performance is mainly due to interface degradation. PAN-PVDF-HFP-LiClO4-Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) gel polymer electrolyte was prepared by the UV curing method and assembled into a solid-state battery. The electrochemical properties of solid-state batteries were tested at −20 °C, 30 °C, and 60 °C. The test results show that the gel polymer electrolyte exhibits good electrochemical performance in this temperature range. (The ionic conductivities of the gel polymer electrolyte at −20 °C and 60 °C were 3.95 × 10−4 S·cm−1 and 5.04 × 10−4 S·cm−1, respectively.) At a current density of 0.2 C, the battery exhibited high initial specific discharge capacities of 122 mAh g−1 and 151.6 mAh g−1 at −20 °C and 60 °C. The gel polymer electrolyte before and after working at different temperatures was characterized, and the ion transport was analyzed to explore the physical reasons for the degradation of the gel polymer electrolyte membrane interface. Therefore, this work provides a certain theoretical basis for improving the stability of solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes)
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Review

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27 pages, 4882 KB  
Review
Enhancing Solid-State Li-Ion Batteries with MOF–Polymer Composite Electrolytes—Effect Mechanisms and Interface Engineering
by Tao Chen, Nandarapu Purushotham Reddy and Man Li
Gels 2025, 11(12), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11120946 - 25 Nov 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4234
Abstract
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and improved safety. To achieve this goal, the development of solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and low interfacial resistance is essential. [...] Read more.
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and improved safety. To achieve this goal, the development of solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and low interfacial resistance is essential. In recent years, composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) have garnered extensive attention due to their ability to combine the intrinsic flexibility of polymers with the enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness provided by inorganic fillers. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by tunable pore structures, high surface areas, and excellent thermal and mechanical stability, are considered ideal fillers for constructing MOF–polymer composite electrolytes (MPCEs). This review summarizes the performance enhancement mechanisms of MPCEs and strategies for electrode–electrolyte interface stability. First, the primary preparation methods of MPCEs are introduced. Subsequently, the roles of MOFs in regulating ionic transport, suppressing dendrite growth, improving electrochemical stability, and optimizing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer are discussed. In addition, various interface engineering strategies are highlighted, including in situ polymerization of the polymer matrix, in situ growth of MOF fillers, integration of liquid plasticizers forming gel-like ionic conductor, and design of composite electrode to enhance interfacial compatibility and stability. Finally, the significant challenges and future research directions of MPCEs are outlined. This review provides valuable insights into the rational design of MPCEs and offers guidance for the development and practical application of high-performance SSBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Gel Polymer Electrolytes)
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