Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Electrolyte Evolution: A Roadmap from Solvation Structure to Next-Generation Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02119-6
Chengfeng Li
Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, People’s Republic of China
Xiangyu Chen
School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Lingfei Zhao
Faculty of Science, Centre for Clean Energy Technology, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Yaojie Lei
Faculty of Science, Centre for Clean Energy Technology, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Zhuo Yang
Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, People’s Republic of China
Kunjie Zhu
Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, People’s Republic of China
Hua‑Kun Liu
Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, People’s Republic of China
Shi‑Xue Dou
Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, People’s Republic of China
Yun‑Xiao Wang
Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Kunjie Zhu

zhukunjie@usst.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 275

Abstract

Driven by global strategies for decarbonization and carbon neutrality, renewable-energy intermittency underscores the importance of large-scale electrochemical energy storage (EES). Rechargeable batteries, as the core components within EES, have long been restricted by limitations intrinsic to conventional dilute electrolytes, including narrow electrochemical stability windows, poor low-temperature performance, high flammability, and weak compatibility with high-voltage electrodes. Regulation of solvation structure in electrolytes has emerged as a key approach to overcome these bottlenecks. This review highlights five representative strategies: highly concentrated electrolytes, localized high-concentration electrolytes, weakly solvating electrolytes, hydrogen-bond regulated electrolytes, and eutectic electrolytes. These strategies have greatly advanced Li-ion, Na-ion, Zn-ion, Li–S, Li–air, and Na–S batteries. Finally, challenges ahead and opportunities in solvation-structure design are summarized to guide innovative and sustainable progress in next-generation energy storage technologies.


Highlights:
1 This review elucidates how innovative electrolytes (highly concentrated electrolytes, localized high-concentration electrolytes, etc.) reshape ion–solvent interactions.
2 Solvation-structure regulation is highlighted as the key to enhanced battery performance, with its recent advances summarized across diverse battery systems.
3 This review outlines challenges and opportunities in solvation-structure design to guide next-generation energy storage technologies.

Keywords

Electrolyte engineering Solvation structure High-concentration electrolytes Localized high-concentration electrolytes Weakly solvating electrolytes
Li, Chengfeng, Xiangyu Chen, Lingfei Zhao, Yaojie Lei, Zhuo Yang, Kunjie Zhu, Hua‑Kun Liu, Shi‑Xue Dou, and Yun‑Xiao Wang. 2026. “Electrolyte Evolution: A Roadmap from Solvation Structure to Next-Generation Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (March):275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02119-6.
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