Topic: Next-Generation Solid-State Batteries

Over the past decades, rechargeable batteries have achieved remarkable progress in energy density and cycle life, enabling the rapid growth of portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale storage. However, the intrinsic safety risks and limited electrochemical stability of conventional liquid electrolytes remain critical challenges, particularly under high-voltage and high-energy operating conditions. Solid-state batteries, which employ non-flammable solid electrolytes, have therefore emerged as a promising solution for next-generation energy storage systems with enhanced safety and energy density.

Recent advances in inorganic solid electrolytes (oxides, sulfides, halides), polymer-based systems, and quasi-solid-state configurations have significantly improved ionic conductivity and interfacial compatibility. Meanwhile, the integration of high-capacity metal-based anodes, such as lithium metal, sodium metal, etc., further unlocks the potential for high-energy-density batteries. Despite these advances, key challenges persist, including interfacial instability, dendrite growth, chemo-mechanical degradation, and scalable manufacturing.

This Special Topic, “Next-Generation Solid-State Batteries,” aims to highlight cutting-edge progress across materials, interfaces, and device engineering. It seeks to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that accelerates the practical deployment of solid-state battery technologies.

Scope and Topics

This Special Topic invites original research articles, reviews, and perspectives covering a broad range of next-generation solid-state batteries. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

● All-solid-state batteries;

● Inorganic solid electrolytes (oxides, sulfides, halides, and others);

● Polymer and hybrid solid electrolytes;

● Solid-state battery manufacturing;

● Solid-state interfaces and interphase engineering;

● Solid-state battery cathodes and anodes;

● Ionic/electronic transport mechanisms and kinetics;

● Chemo-mechanical behavior and structural evolution;

● Advanced characterization techniques;

● Theoretical modeling and multiscale simulations;

● Wide-temperature batteries and extreme-condition operation.

Solid-state batteries, solid electrolytes, cathodes, anodes, interfaces/interphases, lithium; sodium, zinc, magnesium, manufacturing