Advanced Functional Materials for Energy Storage and Power-to-X

Storing renewable energy in batteries or converting it into green chemicals and fuels via Power-to-X (P2X) offers complementary strategies for flexible energy utilisation, underpinning deep decarbonisation and energy security. Despite rapid progress, both energy storage and P2X technologies remain constrained by materials-level bottlenecks. Key challenges include insufficient activity and selectivity for complex multi-electron reactions, inefficient charge and heat management in photo/electro/thermochemical systems, limited mechanistic understanding of dynamic catalytic interfaces, and inadequate durability of catalysts, membranes, electrodes, and integrated architectures under high-rate, industrially relevant conditions. These gaps hinder efficiency, lifetime, and scalable deployment. Addressing them requires urgent advances in the rational design of functional materials (materials engineered to deliver specific functions) together with interface and device engineering guided by advanced characterization and theory. This research topic highlights materials innovations that accelerate energy storage and P2X conversion applications.The goal of this Research Topic is to rationally design functional materials for applications in energy storage and P2X. Progress in materials can be advanced across multiple dimensions, from the synthesis of novel functional materials, such as metals, carbon materials, single-atom catalysts, and 2D materials, to rational design strategies for key components including electrodes, catalysts, semiconductors, and membranes. It also involves elucidating structure–function relationships through in situ/operando characterization, interface and system engineering, and mechanistic investigations using experimental and theoretical approaches. Target applications include energy storage technologies such as batteries and supercapacitors, as well as P2X pathways that transform solar energy, renewable electricity, and waste heat into diverse chemical energy carriers, including H₂ (via the hydrogen evolution reaction), carbon-based products (via CO₂ reduction), ammonia (via nitrogen reduction), and value-added fine chemicals. Collectively, these contributions will accelerate the development of advanced materials that enable efficient renewable energy conversion, storage, and utilization.To gather further insights in the broad and evolving field of functional materials and renewable energy, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• The synthesis of novel functional materials for energy storage or P2X. • Rational design strategies for functional materials, including machine-learning and data-driven approaches.• Mechanistic investigations using experimental methods, in situ/operando characterization, or theory to elucidate structure–performance relationships.• Exploration of materials and systems for the synthesis of novel chemical energy carriers. Topic editors: Fangxin Hu, Chen Han, Ming Zhang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79322/advanced-functional-materials-for-energy-storage-and-power-to-x