Topic: Structural Design of Polymeric Materials toward Energy Related Applications

With the emphasis on sustainable development goals, more attention have been paid to developing high performance energy conversion and storage devices. As we known that the utilization of current domain fossil energy is less than 30% and the majority is released as waste heat. Consequently, it is essential to explore clean renewable energies, such as solar energy, wind energy and beyond. Furthermore, the thermoelectric devices capable of mutual conversion between thermal energy and electricity energy also attracted increasing attention, demonstrating great potential in improving the utilization efficiency of traditional fossil fuels. At the same time, the corresponding energy storage devices have also experienced rapid technological growth. In the above technologies, polymers have garnered considerable attention due to their exceptional safety features and excellent. For example, many D-A conjugated polymers are verified to be excellent candidates for photothermal, thermoelectric, and ferroelectric devices. Conducting polymers as well as the polymer-inorganic composites demonstrate to be good solid electrolytes in various rechargeable batteries. By precisely controlling structures, the properties of these polymers may be adjusted to meet the requirements of desired applications. Significantly, the intrinsic properties, including low density, elasticity and flexibility, durable adhesive/cohesive properties provide polymers promising prospects in wearable electronic energy devices. In addition, many polymers can be derived into functional photo-/electro-catalysts for energy conversion.

Considering above context, it is meaningful for this special issue in Microstructures to highlight recent key progress in studies related to polymers for energy applications, focusing on the exploration of the structure-property relationship. Both original research and Review articles are welcome. Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
● Structure design of energy polymers;
● Polymer electrodes;
● Polymer electrolyte;
● Polymer separator;
● Polymer based electrocatalyst;
● Polymer-based photocatalyst;
● Polymer-based solar cells;
● Polymer derived electrodes;
● Polymers for wearable techniques;
● Photothermal polymers;
● Thermoelectric polymers.

31 May 2025