Topic: Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage and Interfacial Engineering for Carbon Neutrality

The global imperative toward carbon neutrality has intensified the demand for next-generation electrochemical energy storage systems capable of achieving superior energy density, extended cycle life, and enhanced operational safety. Among the most promising candidates are solid-state batteries, aqueous rechargeable batteries, and multivalent ion batteries, which are widely recognized as critical enabling technologies for grid-scale renewable energy integration and the realization of sustainable energy infrastructure.

A fundamental challenge confronting these emerging systems is the inherent instability of electrochemical interfaces, which exert decisive influence over ion transport kinetics, charge transfer dynamics, and long-term device reliability. Uncontrolled interfacial side reactions, progressive mechanical degradation, and coupled electro-chemo-mechanical failure mechanisms frequently precipitate performance deterioration and pose significant safety concerns. Consequently, interfacial engineering has emerged as a pivotal scientific strategy for regulating electrode–electrolyte interactions, engineering stable interphase formation, and facilitating efficient ionic transport under demanding and dynamic operating conditions.

This Special Topic seeks to consolidate and disseminate state-of-the-art advances in electrochemical energy storage and interfacial engineering within the context of global carbon neutrality objectives. The scope encompasses fundamental mechanistic understanding, rational materials design strategies, and system-level device integration across emerging battery chemistries. Research areas of particular interest include interfacial reaction chemistry, artificial interphase engineering, ionic transport regulation, chemo-mechanical coupling phenomena, and advanced in situ/operando characterization methodologies. Original research articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing both foundational scientific insights and translational applications of next-generation energy storage systems are strongly encouraged.

Electrochemical energy storage, interfacial engineering, carbon neutrality, solid-state batteries, aqueous batteries, multivalent ion batteries, electrode–electrolyte interface, interphase design, ionic transport, chemo-mechanical coupling