Journal article 377 views 6 downloads
Membrane Engineering for Battery Systems: Bridging Design Principles and Frontier Applications
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Justice Akoto,
Rui Tan ,
Jun Ma
Energy & Environmental Materials, Start page: e70192
Swansea University Authors:
Justice Akoto, Rui Tan
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PDF | Version of Record
© 2026 The Author(s). Energy & Environmental Materials published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Zhengzhou University. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1002/eem2.70192
Abstract
Electrochemical energy storage systems (EESSs) stand as linchpins in the global transition toward carbon neutrality, yet their performance and safety remain fundamentally constrained by the underappreciated component: membrane separators. This review delivers a paradigm-shifting synthesis of separat...
| Published in: | Energy & Environmental Materials |
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| ISSN: | 2575-0356 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2026
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70635 |
| Abstract: |
Electrochemical energy storage systems (EESSs) stand as linchpins in the global transition toward carbon neutrality, yet their performance and safety remain fundamentally constrained by the underappreciated component: membrane separators. This review delivers a paradigm-shifting synthesis of separator science across redox flow batteries (RFBs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and solid-state batteries (SSBs), unraveling the universal principles that govern ion selectivity, interfacial stability, and long-term cyclability. By critically analyzing the interplay among material architecture, ion transport mechanisms, and electrochemical degradation pathways, we establish a unified framework for designing next-generation separators that overcome the persistent trade-off between ionic conductivity and molecular-level discrimination. Recent advances in porous crystalline materials, polymer electrolytes, and hybrid composites are dissected through the lens of size-exclusion, Donnan-exclusion, and dynamic adaptive interactions, revealing how tailored pore geometries and functional group engineering enable the precise modulation of cation/anion flux. Emphasis is placed on the emerging role of computational modeling in decoding separator–electrolyte couplings, guiding the rational design of membranes with atomic-scale precision. The review further addresses critical challenges, including dendritic growth in alkali metal batteries, crossover losses in aqueous RFBs, and interfacial instability in solid-state systems. This integrative analysis establishes a cross-cutting roadmap for separator innovation, where the synergistic design of material architectures, ion transport physics, and computational-guided interfaces converge to unlock the full potential of electrochemical energy storage systems. |
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| Keywords: |
lithium-ion batteries, membrane separators, modeling, redox flow batteries, solid-state batteries |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Swansea University |
| Start Page: |
e70192 |