Advanced Thin Films for Energy Conversion and Storage

The growing demand for sustainable energy technologies has intensified research into advanced thin-film materials capable of delivering high performance with reduced material consumption and improved device efficiency. Thin films have emerged as key enablers in energy conversion and storage systems due to their tunable physical, chemical, and interfacial properties. Advances in thin-film fabrication techniques and precise control over composition, defects, and interfaces have opened new pathways for efficient energy conversion and storage. In particular, nanoscale control of thin-film structures has led to significant improvements in device efficiency, charge transport, and operational stability. These developments position thin films as central components in next-generation energy technologies.Despite rapid progress, challenges remain in translating laboratory-scale thin-film advances into reliable and scalable energy technologies. Issues related to long-term stability, interfacial losses, defect-induced recombination, and manufacturing scalability continue to limit real-world implementation. The goal of this Research Topic is to address these challenges by highlighting recent advances in thin-film materials design, synthesis, characterization, and device integration for energy conversion and storage. Contributions are encouraged that demonstrate innovative strategies such as interface and defect engineering, scalable fabrication approaches, and advanced deposition techniques including atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and related methods.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews, encompassing both experimental and theoretical studies that advance understanding of thin films for energy conversion and storage applications.Including but not limited to the following themes:• Thin-film materials for solar energy conversion• Thin films for energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors)• Thin films for electrocatalysis and energy conversion (e.g., hydrogen generation, water splitting)• Interface and defect engineering in thin-film energy materials• Advanced thin-film fabrication techniques (ALD, CVD, PVD)• Charge transport and interfacial phenomena in thin films• Material stability, degradation, and reliability in energy devices• Structure–property–performance relationships in thin filmsSubmissions should emphasize clear relevance to energy applications, highlighting pathways toward efficient and scalable technologies. Topic editors: INDU SHARMA, Jaspal Singh, Aadil Bathla, MUNU BORAH, Satbir Singh Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79032/advanced-thin-films-for-energy-conversion-and-storage