Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Molecular and ionic dipoles regulate ionic transport, solvation structures, and interfacial chemistry, enhancing battery performance. • Dipole interactions stabilize electrode interfaces, suppress side reactions, and mitigate anode corrosion, improving durability. • Applications include suppressing dendrites in lithium-metal batteries and improving cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries. • Future directions include AI-assisted design, in-depth mechanism exploration, and multidisciplinary integration.
Abstract
Achieving high-energy density remains a key objective for advanced energy storage systems. However, challenges, such as poor cathode conductivity, anode dendrite formation, polysulfide shuttling, and electrolyte degradation, continue to limit performance and stability. Molecular and ionic dipole interactions have emerged as an effective strategy to address these issues by regulating ionic transport, modulating solvation structures, optimizing interfacial chemistry, and enhancing charge transfer kinetics. These interactions also stabilize electrode interfaces, suppress side reactions, and mitigate anode corrosion, collectively improving the durability of high-energy batteries. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential to guide the design of next-generation battery materials. Herein, this review summarizes the development, classification, and advantages of dipole interactions in high-energy batteries. The roles of dipoles, including facilitating ion transport, controlling solvation dynamics, stabilizing the electric double layer, optimizing solid electrolyte interphase and cathode–electrolyte interface layers, and inhibiting parasitic reactions—are comprehensively discussed. Finally, perspectives on future research directions are proposed to advance dipole-enabled strategies for high-performance energy storage. This review aims to provide insights into the rational design of dipole-interactive systems and promote the progress of electrochemical energy storage technologies.
1. Introduction
The escalating global demand for sustainable energy, coupled with the pressing challenges of environmental pollution and resource depletion, has placed unprecedented emphasis on the development of advanced energy storage technologies [1–4]. Among various candidates, high-energy density batteries have emerged as a cornerstone for powering diverse applications, ranging from portable electronics and electric vehicles to large-scale grid storage systems [5–8].
Achieving higher energy density is paramount for next-generation batteries, as it directly governs the amount of energy stored and delivered per unit weight or volume [8–10]. Central to this objective are the processes of ionic and electronic transport, which are intricately linked to nearly every component within the battery system, including cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and separators (Fig. 1) [11–14]. However, several intrinsic and extrinsic limitations continue to impede progress. For instance, poor electronic conductivity in cathode materials restricts charge transfer kinetics during electrochemical reactions [15, 16], while instabilities at the cathode–electrolyte interface (CEI) exacerbate side reactions and structural degradation [17–19]. On the anode side, dendrite formation and surface corrosion, induced by inhomogeneous and undesired ionic transport, are prevalent and critical issues that not only undermine cycling stability, but also pose significant safety risks [20]. Additionally, high-energy systems, such as lithium–sulfur batteries, suffer from polysulfide shuttling, where the migration of soluble intermediates deteriorates active material utilization and compromises overall performance [21, 22]. Further complications arise from electrolyte failure, poor ion selectivity of separators, and unstable desolvation/solvation processes, collectively impairing the electrochemical stability and performance of the battery system.
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Shihai Cao, Yuntong Sun, Yinghao Li, Ao Wang, Wenyao Zhang, Zhendong Hao, Jong-Min Lee (2026). Multifunctional Dipoles Enabling Enhanced Ionic and Electronic Transport for High-Energy Batteries. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01926-7
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are multifunctional dipoles in the context of high-energy batteries?
Multifunctional dipoles refer to molecular and ionic dipole interactions that regulate ionic transport, modulate solvation structures, optimize interfacial chemistry, and enhance charge transfer kinetics, thereby improving battery performance and stability.
How do dipole interactions improve battery performance?
Dipole interactions facilitate ion transport, control solvation dynamics, stabilize the electric double layer, optimize solid electrolyte interphase and cathode–electrolyte interface layers, and inhibit parasitic reactions, collectively enhancing energy density, cycling stability, and safety.
What are the main challenges in high-energy batteries addressed by dipole strategies?
The main challenges include poor cathode conductivity, anode dendrite formation, polysulfide shuttling, and electrolyte degradation, which dipole interactions help to mitigate.
What future research directions are proposed for dipole-enabled strategies?
Future directions include AI-assisted materials design, in-depth mechanism exploration, multidisciplinary integration, database establishment, and promoting practical applications to advance high-energy battery technologies.
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