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Polymers
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Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage
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Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2026 | Viewed by 6285

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Beibei Jiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA 30060, USA
Interests: solid-state Li-ion batteries; nanomaterials; ionic and electronic conductive polymer; flexible electronics; solid-state Li-ion batteries; energy storage and conversion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of next-generation energy storage devices, such as Li-ion batteries, Li-sulfur batteries, solid-state batteries, supercapacitors, fuel-cells, etc., has the potential to revolutionize industries ranging from renewable energy to electrical vehicles and Internet of Things (IoTs) applications. The use of polymeric materials for applications in energy storage devices has attracted significant attention because of their multiple advantages over inorganic materials. In this Special Issue, we welcome contributions that investigate the synthetic approaches, fundamental structure properties, and mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal properties of the polymers and polymer composites for next-generation energy storage devices. We also welcome articles exploring the application of these materials in interdisciplinary fields related to energy storage and conversion, including interface engineering, flexible electronics, implantable medical devices, microbatteries and microsystems, etc. The submission could be formatted as an original research article, review, mini review, or perspective.

Dr. Beibei Jiang
Guest Editor

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. Polymers 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 2700 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

  • polymers
  • composites
  • energy storage and conversion
  • interface engineering
  • solid-state batteries
  • Li batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • medical devices
  • flexible electronics

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3146 KB  
Article
Improved Polymer Membrane for Textile Zinc-Ion Capacitor
by Sheng Yong, Sasikumar Arumugam and Stephen Paul Beeby
Polymers 2025, 17(22), 2995; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17222995 - 11 Nov 2025
Viewed by 507
Abstract
This work presents the design, fabrication and characterisation of an improved textile energy storage device implemented in a single layer of polyester cotton and silk fabric. To achieve this, the energy storage device has evolved from an electrical double-layer (EDL) supercapacitor to a [...] Read more.
This work presents the design, fabrication and characterisation of an improved textile energy storage device implemented in a single layer of polyester cotton and silk fabric. To achieve this, the energy storage device has evolved from an electrical double-layer (EDL) supercapacitor to a zinc-ion supercapacitor (ZHSC) with an optimised co-polymer membrane containing a polyethene oxide (PEO) additive and a polyvinylidene (PVDF)-based organic electrolyte. The flexible textile ZHSC achieved an areal capacitance of 159.5 mF cm−2 and an energy density of 52.3 µWh cm−2 (increasing by a factor of 4 and 1.8, respectively, on the previous work) with a power density of 0.27 mW cm−2 and good bending stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage)
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Review

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50 pages, 9683 KB  
Review
Towards Fire-Safe Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Strategies for Electrolyte Design and Structural Design
by Khang Le Truong and Joonho Bae
Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212828 - 23 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1958
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in phones and electric vehicles, pose safety concerns due to the flammability of conventional liquid electrolytes, which are prone to ignition under elevated temperatures and mechanical stress, increasing the risk of fire. Polymer electrolytes have been employed as a [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion batteries, widely used in phones and electric vehicles, pose safety concerns due to the flammability of conventional liquid electrolytes, which are prone to ignition under elevated temperatures and mechanical stress, increasing the risk of fire. Polymer electrolytes have been employed as a safer solution thanks to their superior thermal stability and mechanical strength. However, despite these advantages, many polymer matrices pose a fire hazard, limiting their potential. This review assesses recent advances in enhancing the flame retardancy of polymer electrolytes through a variety of strategies, namely the incorporation of flame-retardant additives, the addition of nanoscale fillers to improve thermal resistance, and the design of layered or hybrid polymer membrane structures that function as thermal barriers. This review evaluates the effectiveness of these methods, examining their flame-retardancy as well as their influences on ionic conductivity and overall battery performance. By highlighting recent progress and enduring safety challenges in solid-state batteries, it aims to offer insights for developing lithium batteries with enhanced safety and high performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage)
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28 pages, 1278 KB  
Review
Polymeric Frontiers in Next-Generation Energy Storage: Bridging Molecular Design, Multifunctionality, and Device Applications Across Batteries, Supercapacitors, Solid-State Systems, and Beyond
by Akhil Sharma, Sonu Sharma, Monu Sharma, Vikas Sharma, Shivika Sharma and Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
Polymers 2025, 17(20), 2800; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17202800 - 20 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 911
Abstract
Polymer materials have become promising candidates for next-generation energy storage, with structural tunability, multifunctionality, and compatibility with a variety of device platforms. They have a molecular design capable of customizing ion and electron transport routes, integrating redox-active species, and enhancing interfacial stability, surpassing [...] Read more.
Polymer materials have become promising candidates for next-generation energy storage, with structural tunability, multifunctionality, and compatibility with a variety of device platforms. They have a molecular design capable of customizing ion and electron transport routes, integrating redox-active species, and enhancing interfacial stability, surpassing the drawbacks of traditional inorganic systems. New developments have been made in multifunctional polymers that have the ability to combine conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and self-healing into a single scaffold system, which is useful in battery, supercapacitor, and solid-state applications. By incorporating polymers with carbon nanostructures, ceramics, or two-dimensional materials, hybrid polymer nanocomposites improve electrochemical performance, durability, and mechanical compliance, and the solid polymer electrolytes, as well as artificial solid electrolyte interphases, resolve dendrite growth and safety issues. The multifunctionality also extends to flexibility, stretchability, and miniaturization, which implies that polymers are suitable for use in wearable devices and biomedical devices. At the same time, sustainable polymer innovation focuses on bio-based feedstocks, which can be recycled, and green synthesis pathways. Polymer discovery using artificial intelligence and machine learning is faster than standard methods, predicts structure–property–performance relationships, and can be rationally engineered. Although there are difficulties in stability during long periods, scalability, and trade-offs between indeedness and mechanical endurance, polymers are a promising avenue with regard to dependable, safe, and sustainable power storage. This review presents the molecular strategies, multifunctional uses, and prospects, where polymers are at the center of the next-generation energy technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage)
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21 pages, 2608 KB  
Review
Recent Progress on the Research of 3D Printing in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
by Yating Liu, Haokai Ding, Honglin Chen, Haoxuan Gao, Jixin Yu, Funian Mo and Ning Wang
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2136; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152136 - 4 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2189
Abstract
The global transition towards a low-carbon energy system urgently demands efficient and safe energy storage solutions. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety and environmental friendliness. However, conventional manufacturing methods are costly and [...] Read more.
The global transition towards a low-carbon energy system urgently demands efficient and safe energy storage solutions. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety and environmental friendliness. However, conventional manufacturing methods are costly and labor-intensive, hindering their large-scale production. Recent advances in 3D printing technology offer innovative pathways to address these challenges. By combining design flexibility with material optimization, 3D printing holds the potential to enhance battery performance and enable customized structures. This review systematically examines the application of 3D printing technology in fabricating key AZIB components, including electrodes, electrolytes, and integrated battery designs. We critically compare the advantages and disadvantages of different 3D printing techniques for these components, discuss the potential and mechanisms by which 3D-printed structures enhance ion transport and electrochemical stability, highlight critical existing scientific questions and research gaps, and explore potential strategies for optimizing the manufacturing process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage)
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