Interface Engineering in Hybrid Supercapacitors: Unravelling Charge Transfer and Storage Mechanisms

Efficient and sustainable energy storage represents a cornerstone for modern technology and the development of future clean energy systems. Hybrid supercapacitors, positioned between conventional capacitors and batteries, offer significant potential by combining high power and energy densities, long lifecycle, and rapid charge and discharge capabilities. Despite this promise, the interfacial phenomena governing the performance of hybrid supercapacitors remain complex and only partially understood, which limits further advancements in device performance.

This Research Topic seeks to collect high quality original research, reviews, and perspectives that investigate interface engineering strategies in hybrid supercapacitors, with particular emphasis on charge transfer and storage mechanisms. Submissions that comprehensively examine multidisciplinary approaches—including studies at the molecular scale and device integration—are especially encouraged, as they can help elucidate, control, and optimize interfacial processes. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Design and characterization of electrode and electrolyte interfaces in hybrid systems
- Novel materials and heterostructures that promote interfacial synergy
- In situ and operando techniques for probing charge transfer and ion dynamics
- Integration with flexible substrates or hybrid energy harvesting and storage devices
- Interfacial optimization for high energy density, long cycle life, and improved sustainability
- Good practices in measurement, data processing, and modeling in hybrid supercapacitors.

Submissions are invited to address how advances in interface engineering and mechanistic understanding contribute to the fundamental development of hybrid supercapacitors. Furthermore, contributions that demonstrate potential practical applications supporting Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) are particularly welcome.

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: interface engineering, hybrid supercapacitors, charge transfer, energy storage, interfacial phenomena

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.