Nanostructured materials and nanocomposites for energy storage devices

Worldwide aspiration for finding safer and efficient electrochemical energy storage systems and the increasing demand for high-performance devices are fueling the advancement of solid-state technologies by employing nano-structured materials and nanocomposite electrolytes. Therefore, the traditional Li-ion batteries constructed with layered metal oxides as cathode (positive), graphitic carbon (negative) as anode and liquid-state organic carbonate as electrolyte will be replaced with all solid-state lithium metal batteries. Indeed, nano-structured solid-state materials that are composed of two or more compositional or structural phases have been investigated as a forefront candidate for achieving enhanced energy/power densities in batteries, which are also durable and inherently safe. Emerging materials having nanoscale architecture possess high specific surface area and abundant electrochemically active sites. This area could be exploited for the designing of superior electrode materials, which can enhance reversible and durable storage at high current rates. In addition, nano-composite polymer electrolytes that combine the advantages of polymer electrolytes and inorganic ceramic electrolytes to achieve high ionic conductivity, mechanical robustness and favorable interfacial contact with electrodes, will greatly improve the electrochemical performance of all solid-state batteries compared to the standard liquid electrolytes. Thorough understanding of the electrode/electrolyte interfaces is of paramount importance for the realizing these ambitious goals. In this context, this special issue would bring the expertise of scientific community into a common platform to discuss the challenges, promising research trends and future prospects of energy storage.

Thus, we invite scientific contributions from those who engage in developing nano-structured materials and polymer composites for energy storage devices.

Keywords: 

• nanostructures
• solid-state batteries
• hybrid systems
• electrode/electrolyte interface phenomena
• electrochemical characterization
• thin films
• polymer composites
• theoretical calculation and modelling
• nanoarchitecture, nanodesign
• recycling and sustainability

Guest Editors: 

• Prof. Dr. Claudio GERBALDI, Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino
• Dr. Jijeesh Ravi NAIR, Helmholtz-Institute Münster (HI MS) IEK-12: Ionics in Energy Storage

Submission Time: 

Submit your paper before 30 November 2020.