Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Composites Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 6393

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue of Journal of Composites Science aims to showcase the latest advancements and innovations in composite materials specifically tailored for energy storage applications. Composite materials have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their unique combination of properties, including high strength, lightweight, and tunable characteristics, which make them promising candidates for enhancing energy storage technologies. This issue will feature original research articles, reviews, and perspectives covering a wide range of topics such as the design and synthesis of novel composite materials, advanced characterization techniques, material engineering strategies for optimizing electrochemical performance, integration of nanomaterials, scalable manufacturing processes, durability assessments, application-specific case studies, and sustainability considerations. By bringing together contributions from researchers, engineers, and industry professionals, this special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in composite materials for energy storage and stimulate further advancements in this rapidly growing field.

Dr. Mohd Shahneel Saharudin
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polymers
  • composites
  • energy storage

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 10273 KiB  
Article
Electrical Properties of Semiconductor/Conductor Composites: Polypyrrole-Coated Tungsten Microparticles
by Jaroslav Stejskal, Marek Jurča, Miroslava Trchová and Jan Prokeš
J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(3), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9030098 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 328
Abstract
Tungsten microparticles were coated with globular or nanotubular polypyrrole in situ during the oxidation of pyrrole in aqueous medium with ammonium peroxydisulfate or iron(III) chloride, respectively. The resulting core–shell composites with various contents of tungsten were obtained as powders composed of metal particles [...] Read more.
Tungsten microparticles were coated with globular or nanotubular polypyrrole in situ during the oxidation of pyrrole in aqueous medium with ammonium peroxydisulfate or iron(III) chloride, respectively. The resulting core–shell composites with various contents of tungsten were obtained as powders composed of metal particles embedded in a semiconducting polymer matrix. The coating of tungsten with polypyrrole was analysed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The resistivity of composite powders was determined by the four-point van der Pauw method as a function of pressure applied up to 10 MPa. The degree of compression was also recorded and its relation to electrical properties is discussed on the basis of the percolation concept. The electrical properties of composites are afforded by polypyrrole matrix and they are independent of tungsten content. As the conducting tungsten particles are separated by polypyrrole shells, they cannot produce conducting pathways and behave similarly as a nonconducting filler. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications)
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11 pages, 4513 KiB  
Article
Nanostructured C@CuS Core–Shell Framework with High Lithium-Ion Storage Performance
by Changqing Jin, Zaidong Peng, Yongxing Wei, Ruihua Nan, Zhong Yang, Zengyun Jian and Qingping Ding
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(9), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090375 - 21 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1064
Abstract
In this study, we have synthesized a nanostructured core–shell framework of carbon-coated copper sulfide (C@CuS) through a one-step precipitation technique. The carbon sphere template facilitated the nucleation of CuS nanostructures. The synthesized nanocomposites have demonstrated remarkable lithium-ion storage capabilities when utilized as an [...] Read more.
In this study, we have synthesized a nanostructured core–shell framework of carbon-coated copper sulfide (C@CuS) through a one-step precipitation technique. The carbon sphere template facilitated the nucleation of CuS nanostructures. The synthesized nanocomposites have demonstrated remarkable lithium-ion storage capabilities when utilized as an anode in lithium-ion batteries. Notably, they exhibit an impressive rate capability of 314 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 5000 mA g−1, along with excellent long-term cycle stability, maintaining 463 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 after 800 cycles. This superior performance is due to the core–shell architecture of the composite, where the carbon core enhances the conductivity of CuS nanoparticles and mitigates volume expansion, thus preventing capacity loss. Our study not only elucidates the significance of carbon in the construction of nano-heterojunctions or composite electrodes but also presents a practical approach to significantly boost the electrochemical performance of CuS and other metal sulfides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications)
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16 pages, 2201 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Generation by Nickel Electrodes Coated with Linear Patterns of PTFE
by Alion Alushi, Atheer Al-Musawi, Kyuman Kim, Chong-Yong Lee, Klaudia Wagner and Gerhard F. Swiegers
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(9), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090368 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that partially coating electrode surfaces with patterns of ‘islands’ of hydrophobic tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon) may lead to more energy efficient gas generation. This occurred because the gas bubbles formed preferentially on the PTFE, thereby freeing up the catalytically active [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that partially coating electrode surfaces with patterns of ‘islands’ of hydrophobic tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon) may lead to more energy efficient gas generation. This occurred because the gas bubbles formed preferentially on the PTFE, thereby freeing up the catalytically active metallic surfaces to produce the gas more efficiently. This work examined electrochemically induced hydrogen bubble formation on a nickel electrode surface that had been coated with linear patterns of PTFE. The impact of the PTFE line size (width) and degree of coverage was examined and analyzed. No improvement in electrical energy efficiency was observed up to 15 mA/cm2 when comparing the PTFE-coated electrodes with the control bare uncoated electrode. However, increasing PTFE coverage up to 15% generally improved electrolysis performance. Moreover, samples with 50% wider lines performed better (at the equivalent PTFE coverage), yielding an overpotential decline of up to 3.9% depending on the PTFE coverage. A ‘bubble-scavenging’ phenomenon was also observed, wherein bubbles present on the PTFE lines rapidly shrunk until they disappeared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications)
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20 pages, 10364 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effect in MoS2 Nanosheets–Biochar Nanocomposites with Enhanced Surface Area and Electrical Conductivity for Energy Storage Applications
by Thangaraj Pandiselvi, Chithiraiselvan Praveena, Venkatachalam Sridevi, Balu Alagar Venmathi Maran and Masanari Kimura
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(9), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090357 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1328
Abstract
Layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a transition metal dichalcogenide, shows distinct optical, electrical, and physical properties at a few-layer thickness. MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) widely explored for energy and environmental applications but have limitations with respect to their electrical conductivity and charge [...] Read more.
Layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a transition metal dichalcogenide, shows distinct optical, electrical, and physical properties at a few-layer thickness. MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) widely explored for energy and environmental applications but have limitations with respect to their electrical conductivity and charge transfer characteristics due to their low surface area. These limitations can be overcome by combining MoS2 NSs with carbon-based materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and biochar, which can enhance the properties in a synergistic way. In this study, biochar (BC), a carbon-rich material prepared from vegetable biomass through low-temperature pyrolysis has been combined with bulk MoS2 in various ratios using an aqueous phase exfoliation method to form MoS2 NSs–biochar nanocomposites. The spectroscopic, structural, and morphological studies confirmed the synergistic interaction between MoS2 and BC, which is well reflected in the facile exfoliation process and the formation of few layered MoS2 NSs on the surface of the BC without any agglomeration. The electrochemical studies prove that incorporating biochar into MoS2 enhances the capacitive behavior and reduces the charge transfer resistance compared to pristine MoS2 NSs and pristine biochar. This study provides ample scope for the composite to be explored for energy storage applications, especially towards the development of electrode materials due to the synergistic effect between MoS2 NSs and biochar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications)
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16 pages, 4215 KiB  
Article
Optimizing DMF Utilization for Improved MXene Dispersions in Epoxy Nanocomposites
by Ayyaz Ali Janjua, Muhammad Younas, Rushdan Ahmad Ilyas, Islam Shyha, Nadimul Haque Faisal, Fawad Inam and Mohd Shahneel Saharudin
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(9), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090340 - 29 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
Dimethylformamide (DMF), a polar solvent, is commonly used for preparing graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. While previous research has commonly predominantly highlighted the improvement in physio-mechanical properties of these nanocomposites, the effect of DMF on processing and its direct influence on the final characteristics of MXene/epoxy [...] Read more.
Dimethylformamide (DMF), a polar solvent, is commonly used for preparing graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. While previous research has commonly predominantly highlighted the improvement in physio-mechanical properties of these nanocomposites, the effect of DMF on processing and its direct influence on the final characteristics of MXene/epoxy nanocomposites have not been investigated. This unexplored link between DMF dosage, MXene concentrations, and the final composite properties presents an exciting direction for future research. In this study, a fixed dosage of DMF was used with varying MXene concentrations to fabricate the nanocomposites. To assess the reliability of DMF dosage on the characteristics of the fabricated nanocomposites, various evaluation techniques were employed, including dispersion evaluation, mechanical tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and surface roughness measurements. The research outcomes revealed that as MXene concentration increased, the characteristics of the MXene/epoxy nanocomposites, improved across the board, indicating their potential for use in energy storage applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Composite Materials for Energy Storage Applications)
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