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Gels
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Functional Gels Applied in Energy Storage Systems
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Functional Gels Applied in Energy Storage Systems

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 2845

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaojiang Mu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physical Science and technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Interests: solar interfacial evaporation; photothermal conversion; lithium battery; radiation cooling; thermoelectric conversion
Dr. Lina Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Interests: design; construction and electrochemical research of functional nanomaterials; controllable design and construction of new flexible electronic devices; 3D printing materials and technology research

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research and innovations in sustainable energy technologies, exploring novel methods of energy conversion, storage, and utilization. The collection will cover a broad spectrum of energy materials and devices, including but not limited to solar, thermal, and photothermal technologies, thermoelectrics, energy-efficient materials, advanced catalysts for energy conversion, and gel-based energy materials. Particular attention is given to the role of gel electrolytes, hydrogel frameworks, and hybrid gel systems, which are emerging as key enablers of high-efficiency energy storage and conversion devices.

Emphasis is placed on the development of low-cost, efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions, with gel materials offering unique properties such as enhanced ion conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and tunable porosity. These characteristics make them particularly suited for applications in batteries, supercapacitors, and flexible energy devices. We welcome contributions that address key challenges in the field, such as improving energy efficiency, harnessing low-grade energy sources, incorporating gel-based systems, and developing scalable technologies for practical applications.

This Special Issue seeks to bring together a diverse set of perspectives and approaches, highlighting both theoretical and experimental advancements, from fundamental research to applied engineering solutions. Submissions will be peer-reviewed to ensure the highest quality and impact, driving forward the future of sustainable energy, with a focus on innovative materials like gels that offer new directions in energy science.

Dr. Xiaojiang Mu
Dr. Lina Ma
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-blind 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

  • solar interfacial evaporation
  • hydrogel
  • aerogel
  • photothermal conversion
  • lithium battery
  • radiation cooling
  • thermoelectric conversion

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 6771 KB  
Article
Sol–Gel-Derived Ge-Substituted LLZO Ceramic Coatings on Lithium-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes for Improved Interfacial Stability
by Soon Phil Jung, Dae Won Oh, Byeong Jin Jeong, Jun Yeop Lee, Du Hyun Roh, Kumaran Vediappan, RM. Gnanamuthu, Sivagaami Sundari Gunasekaran and Chang Woo Lee
Gels 2026, 12(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12020114 - 28 Jan 2026
Abstract
Gel-based routes, particularly sol–gel processes, offer a versatile pathway to generate uniform inorganic networks and gel-derived functional ceramics with controlled composition and interfacial coverage. In this study, we employ a citrate-assisted sol–gel coating strategy to form a precursor gel containing Li, La, Zr, [...] Read more.
Gel-based routes, particularly sol–gel processes, offer a versatile pathway to generate uniform inorganic networks and gel-derived functional ceramics with controlled composition and interfacial coverage. In this study, we employ a citrate-assisted sol–gel coating strategy to form a precursor gel containing Li, La, Zr, and Ge species on lithium-rich manganese-based layered oxide (LMLO) cathode particles, followed by drying/thermal conversion to obtain a Ge-substituted garnet-type Li7La3Zr2O12 (Ge-LLZO) ceramic coating. Structural and surface analyses (FE-SEM/EDS, XPS, and FE-TEM) confirm the presence of surface-deposited coating-related species and coating-induced changes in surface chemistry, while bulk XRD is primarily used to verify that the layered LMLO host structure is preserved after the gel-to-ceramic treatment. Electrochemical testing indicates that the gel-derived Ge-LLZO coating can influence interfacial kinetics and resistance evolution, as reflected by differential capacity behavior, impedance responses, and rate capability trends, alongside microstructural observations suggesting reduced damage compared with bare LMLO after cycling. Overall, this work demonstrates that gelation-assisted deposition and gel-to-ceramic conversion enable Ge-LLZO surface coatings on LMLO cathodes that modulate interfacial kinetics and resistance evolution. Under the harsh 4.8–2.0 V/1C condition, the bare LMLO shows an abrupt capacity drop after ~60 cycles, while the coated LMLO exhibits a more gradual decay up to 100 cycles; further optimization is required for robust long-term stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Energy Storage Systems)
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Review

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30 pages, 8605 KB  
Review
Applications of Conductive Polymer Hydrogels for Supercapacitor, Solar Cell, and Energy Conversion
by Sabuj Chandra Sutradhar, Md. Shahriar Ahmed, Mohammad Afsar Uddin, Ye-Chan Oh, Junwoo Park, Kyung-Wan Nam and Mobinul Islam
Gels 2025, 11(9), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11090741 - 15 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2444
Abstract
Hydrogels are rapidly emerging as a versatile and promising platform for advancing energy storage and conversion technologies. Their intrinsic properties—such as high water content, excellent ionic conductivity, and inherent mechanical flexibility—position them as key materials for a wide range of applications, including supercapacitors, [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are rapidly emerging as a versatile and promising platform for advancing energy storage and conversion technologies. Their intrinsic properties—such as high water content, excellent ionic conductivity, and inherent mechanical flexibility—position them as key materials for a wide range of applications, including supercapacitors, flexible membranes, and components in fuel cells and solar cells. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in enhancing their mechanical durability, developing scalable fabrication methods, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Recent breakthroughs in composite hydrogel systems, innovative manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, and self-healing strategies are driving substantial improvements in device performance and operational lifespan. Emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and innovative material design, this review highlights the transformative potential of hydrogel-based energy systems in shaping a sustainable and flexible energy future. The advancements discussed herein have promising implications for the development of high-performance, environmentally friendly, and adaptable energy devices capable of meeting the demands of next-generation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels Applied in Energy Storage Systems)
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