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Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition)
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Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 4284

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Junwei Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, China
Interests: energy materials and devices; corrosion and protection; surface treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chen Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
Interests: functional polymer composites; solid composite electrolytes; solid-state batteries; flexible energy storage devices; intelligent electronics; alkali metal-ion battery electrode
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the worldwide energy demand is expected to increase rapidly, improved technologies for sustainably producing, converting, and storing energy must be developed. Electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems with high efficiency, low cost, application flexibility, safety, and accessibility are the focus of intensive research and development efforts. Materials play a key role in efficient, clean, and versatile energy use and are crucial for exploiting renewable energy. Among various EES technologies, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted plenty of interest in the past decades due to their high energy density, long cycle life, low self-discharge, and no memory effect when as power sources. Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, metal–air batteries, and reversible solid oxide cells (rSOCs) have also received intensive attention from research and development and toward industrialization. The development of high-performance EES never ceases. Materials with high performance, stability, and low cost are critical for building up a synergetic effect for realizing a sustainable future.

The aim of this Special Issue entitled “Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization, and Applications” is to present recent advancements in various aspects related to materials and processes contributing to the creation of sustainable energy storage systems and environmental solutions, particularly applicable to clean energy developments. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Development of advanced materials for high-performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, aqueous rechargeable batteries, and reversible solid oxide cells;
  • Design of next-generation energy conversion and storage devices (flexible/transparent/micro batteries, etc.);
  • Development of innovative high energy density batteries for grid connection of renewable sources and green transport;
  • Mathematical modeling, including computational fluid dynamics of batteries and related topics.

We invite you to submit full research papers, communications, and review papers for this Special Issue.

Dr. Junwei Wu
Dr. Chen Liu
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • lithium-ion batteries
  • sodium/potassium-ion batteries
  • lithium–sulfur batteries
  • metal–air batteries
  • solid state batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • solid oxide cells

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3059 KiB  
Article
High-Energy Storage Performance in La-Doped Lead Zirconate Films on Flexible Mica Substrates
by Jianzeng Guo, Chao Yin, Xue Zhang and Qingguo Chi
Materials 2025, 18(10), 2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18102353 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
Flexible thin-film capacitors have gained a lot of attention in energy storage applications because of their high energy storage densities and efficient charge–discharge performances. Among these materials, antiferroelectric compounds with low residual polarization and strong saturation polarization have shown great promise. However, their [...] Read more.
Flexible thin-film capacitors have gained a lot of attention in energy storage applications because of their high energy storage densities and efficient charge–discharge performances. Among these materials, antiferroelectric compounds with low residual polarization and strong saturation polarization have shown great promise. However, their comparatively low breakdown strength continues to be a major issue restricting further developments in their energy storage performance. While La3+ doping has been explored as a means to enhance the energy storage capabilities of antiferroelectric thin films, the specific influence of La3+ on breakdown strength and the underlying mechanism of phase transitions have not been thoroughly investigated in existing research. In this study, Pb1−3x/2LaxZrO3 thin films were successfully synthesized and deposited on mica substrates via the sol–gel process. By varying the concentration of La3+ ions, a detailed examination of the films’ microstructures, electrical properties, and energy storage performances was carried out to better understand how La3+ doping influences both breakdown strength and energy storage characteristics. The results show that doping with La3+ significantly improves the breakdown strength of the films, reduces the critical phase transition electric field (EF-EA), and enhances their energy storage capabilities. Notably, the Pb0.91La0.06ZrO3 thin film achieved an impressive energy storage density of 34.9 J/cm3 with an efficiency of 58.3%, and at the maximum electric field strength of 1541 kV/cm, the recoverable energy density (Wrec) was 385% greater than that of the PbZrO3 film. Additionally, the film still maintains good energy storage performance after 107 cycles and 104 bending cycles. These findings highlight the potential of flexible antiferroelectric Pb0.91La0.06ZrO3 thin films for future energy storage applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition))
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12 pages, 5804 KiB  
Article
VN Quantum Dots Anchored onto Carbon Nanofibers as a Superior Anode for Sodium Ion Storage
by Xiaoyu Wu, Haimin Zhang, Jiachen Yanghe and Sainan Liu
Materials 2024, 17(23), 6004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17236004 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Vanadium-based compounds exhibit a high theoretical capacity to be used as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries, but the volume change in the active ions during the process of release leads to structural instability during the cycle. The structure of carbon nanofibers is stable, [...] Read more.
Vanadium-based compounds exhibit a high theoretical capacity to be used as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries, but the volume change in the active ions during the process of release leads to structural instability during the cycle. The structure of carbon nanofibers is stable, while it is difficult to deform. At the same time, the huge specific surface area energy of quantum dot materials can speed up the electrochemical reaction rate. Here, we coupled quantum-grade VN nanodots with carbon nanofibers. The strong coupling of VN quantum dots and carbon nanofibers makes the material have a network structure of interwoven nanofibers. Secondly, the carbon skeleton provides a three-dimensional channel for the rapid migration of sodium ions, and the material has low charge transfer resistance, which promotes the diffusion, intercalation and release of sodium ions, and significantly improves the electrochemical activity of sodium storage. When the material is used as the anode material in sodium ion batteries, the specific capacity is stable at 230.3 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, and the specific capacity is still maintained at 154.7 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition))
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13 pages, 2724 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Carbon-Composited Co3O4 Microspheres as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries
by Achmad Yanuar Maulana and Jongsik Kim
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5702; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235702 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 899
Abstract
Cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3O4) has recently gained attention as an alternative anode material to commercial graphite in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its superior safety and large theoretical capacity of about 890 mAh g−1. However, its [...] Read more.
Cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3O4) has recently gained attention as an alternative anode material to commercial graphite in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its superior safety and large theoretical capacity of about 890 mAh g−1. However, its practical application is limited by poor electrical conductivity and rapid capacity degradation because of significant volume increases and structural strain during repeated lithiation/delithiation cycles. To address these issues, this work presents a novel approach to synthesizing carbon-composited Co3O4 microspheres (Co3O4@C), using abietic acid (AA) as a carbon source to increase conductivity and structural stability. The resulting Co3O4@C anodes show an impressive discharge capacity of 1557.4 mAh g−1 after 200 cycling processes at a current density of 0.1 C, representing a significant improvement over bare Co3O4. This study demonstrates the potential of carbon-compositing as a strategy to mitigate the limitations of Co3O4 and extend its cyclability, making it a viable candidate for next-generation LIB anodes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition))
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13 pages, 3469 KiB  
Article
Design of Composite N-Doped Carbon Nanofiber/TiO2/Diatomite Separator for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
by Wenjie Xiao, Xiaoyu Wu, Yang Shu, Yitao Zha and Sainan Liu
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5615; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225615 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1023
Abstract
Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) exhibit high theoretical specific capacities, abundant resource reserves, and low costs, making them promising candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, significant challenges, such as the shuttle effect and volume expansion, hinder their practical applications. To address these issues, this [...] Read more.
Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) exhibit high theoretical specific capacities, abundant resource reserves, and low costs, making them promising candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, significant challenges, such as the shuttle effect and volume expansion, hinder their practical applications. To address these issues, this study introduces a unique intermediate layer comprising N-doped carbon nanofiber/TiO2/diatomite (NCNF/TiO2/DE) from the perspective of membrane modification. The intermediate layer comprises nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/carbon nanofiber (NCNF/TiO2) materials, with diatomite filling the fiber gaps. This forms a three-dimensional (3D) conductive network that provides ample space for sulfur volume expansion and numerous adsorption active sites, thereby accelerating electrolyte penetration and lithium-ion diffusion. These features collectively contribute to the outstanding electrochemical performance of the battery. At 0.1 C, the NCNF/TiO2/DE-800-coated separator battery achieved a first-cycle discharge specific capacity of 1311.1 mAh g−1, significantly higher than the uncoated lithium–sulfur battery (919.6 mAh g−1). Under varying current densities, the NCNF/TiO2/DE-800 material demonstrates good electrochemical reversibility and exhibits high lithium-ion diffusion rates and low charge-transfer resistance. Therefore, this study provides an advanced intermediate layer material that enhances the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur batteries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition))
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17 pages, 4175 KiB  
Article
Facile Synthesis, Sintering, and Optical Properties of Single-Nanometer-Scale SnO2 Particles with a Pyrrolidone Derivative for Photovoltaic Applications
by Wingki Mey Hendra, Naohide Nagaya, Yuto Hibi, Norimitsu Yoshida, Takashi Sugiura, Saeid Vafaei and Kazuhiro Manseki
Materials 2024, 17(20), 5095; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17205095 - 18 Oct 2024
Viewed by 933
Abstract
We investigate the preparation of mesoscopic SnO2 nanoparticulate films using a Sn(IV) hydrate salt combined with a liquid pyrrolidone derivative to form a homogeneous precursor mixture for functional SnO2 nanomaterials. We demonstrate that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) plays a crucial role in forming [...] Read more.
We investigate the preparation of mesoscopic SnO2 nanoparticulate films using a Sn(IV) hydrate salt combined with a liquid pyrrolidone derivative to form a homogeneous precursor mixture for functional SnO2 nanomaterials. We demonstrate that N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) plays a crucial role in forming uniform SnO2 films by both stabilizing the hydrolysis products of Sn(IV) sources and acting as a base liquid during nanoparticle growth. The hydrolysis of Sn(IV) was controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature to as low as 110 °C for 48 h. High-resolution TEM analysis revealed that highly crystalline SnO2 nanoparticles, approximately 3–5 nm in size, were formed. The SnO2 nanoparticles were deposited onto F-doped SnO2 glass and converted into dense particle films through heat treatments at 400 °C and 500 °C. This pyrrolidone-based nanoparticle synthesis enabled the production of not only crystallized SnO2 but also transparent and uniform films, most importantly by controlling the slow hydrolysis of Sn(IV) and polycondensation only with those two chemicals. These findings offer valuable insights for developing stable and uniform electron transport layers of SnO2 in mesoscopic solar cells, such as perovskite solar cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Storage Materials: Preparation, Characterization and Applications (3rd Edition))
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