Hybrid Solar-Supercapacitor Cells: Coupled Energy Harvesting and Storage for Self-Powered Systems

The rapid evolution of decentralised electronics, the growing demand for self-powered sensors and devices, and the search for sustainable energy solutions have increased the demand for next-generation technologies that combine energy harvesting with efficient storage devices. Photo-supercapacitors present a potential solution, seamlessly integrating solar power with supercapacitors to enable the simultaneous conversion of solar energy and the rapid electrochemical storage of energy. This would address the issue of solar power being intermittent while providing the instant and flexible delivery capabilities of supercapacitors.

Recent advances in interface engineering, materials science, and system integration have made it possible to create compact, high-performance hybrid cells that can power wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and other power applications, often without the need for external power sources. This innovation supports broader sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and climate action goals, contributing directly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The goal of this article collection is to showcase the latest research and review advances in hybrid photo-supercapacitors, with a focus on:

- Advanced electrode and electrolyte materials to enable efficient harvesting and storage solutions.
- Interface engineering to optimize charge transfer and energy conversion.
- Design, fabrication, and integration strategies for hybrid photo-power devices.
- The cyclability, energy density, scalability, and environmental sustainability of hybrid systems.
- Demonstrations of real-world applications (e.g., self-powered electronics, the Internet of Things, flexible and wearable devices, remote control sensors).
- Modelling, simulation, and diagnostics of hybrid solar–supercapacitor systems and devices.

The collection welcomes original research, reviews, case studies, and perspectives that address these topics:

- Novel materials and architectures for integrated solar–supercapacitor systems.
- Mechanistic studies on charge separation, ion transport, and storage mechanisms.
- Flexible, high–energy-density hybrid device platforms.
- New electrolytes and interface materials tailored for coupled energy harvesting and storage.
- System-level challenges and solutions for large-scale or flexible deployments.
- Life-cycle analysis and sustainability of hybrid photo-power storage solutions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: hybrid supercapacitor, solar energy harvesting, energy storage, self-powered systems, integrated devices

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.