The future of energy storage hinges on the development of sustainable, next-generation battery chemistries beyond Li-ion technology. Key attributes of these emerging systems include higher energy density, lower manufacturing costs, and the utilization of abundant alkali metals. Sodium-ion (Na⁺) batteries present a promising alternative due to sodium’s high natural abundance and chemical similarities to lithium. We willl demonstrate a complex interplay between PEO molecular weight, cation size, and cation-PEO interaction strength in determining the ionic conductivity of these electrolytes at room temperature. In entangled PEO systems (Mw > Me), PEO:NaTFSI exhibits lower ionic conductivity than PEO:LiTFSI (σ(NaTFSI) < σ(LiTFSI)), whereas in unentangled PEO electrolytes (Mw < Me), the trend reverses (σ(NaTFSI) > σ(LiTFSI)). This behavior arises because, in entangled PEO, the larger Na⁺ cations form more transient EO:Na⁺ contacts, which hinder cation hopping and reduce conductivity. Conversely, in unentangled PEO, where ion transport occurs primarily through diffusion, the stronger EO:Li⁺ interactions increase the hydrodynamic radius, leading to lower conductivity compared to Na⁺-based systems. These findings offer valuable insights for designing more efficient polymer electrolytes, particularly for next-generation, beyond-lithium energy storage applications. Ongoing work includes further investigation into single-ion, beyond-lithium ion electrolytes.
Acknowledgement: This Project is funded from the European Union´s Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement (GA) Nº: 101120301

Functionalization of polymer composites by the addition of metallic iron allows for obtaining new properties and applications in electronic and construction areas. However oxidation of metals embedded in polymer composites compromises their stability and functionality, necessitating effective mitigation strategies.
This study employs experimental techniques and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to investigate iron oxidation in a poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVDF/PMMA) matrix. The impact of high-energy mixing (HEM) and ceramic additives silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on oxidation resistance was analyzed.
Mössbauer spectroscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified Fe₂O₃ as the primary oxidation product. High-energy mixing significantly reduced oxidation, particularly with 1 wt% SiO₂. In contrast, TiO₂ promoted oxidation, especially in gel-cast samples. Mössbauer spectroscopy and DFT analyses suggest that TiO₂ interacts with iron and PMMA chains, influencing composite stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed structural degradation in TiO₂-containing samples, potentially increasing their susceptibility to oxidation [1].
The complete suppression of oxidation in both surface and bulk regions was achieved in PVDF/PMMA composites processed with HEM and SiO₂. These findings highlight the role of ceramic additives and processing techniques in improving polymer composite longevity. Optimizing material formulation is crucial for applications in electronics, structural engineering, and energy storage.

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is a highly-formulated plastic whose recycling is not optimized yet. Physical recycling is intermediate between mechanical recycling (re-using the same plastic material) and chemical recycling (leading to platform molecules or monomers). It would enable to recover the styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) matrix free of polybutadiene rubber (PBR) particles and additives. Hence, the dissolution of SAN was studied in good and poor high-boiling-temperature solvents, which were chosen according to their Hansen solubility parameters. The SAN dissolution was monitored in-situ via calorimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The temperature dependence of the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects allowed the identification of the steps that limit the dissolution rate. Previous work in our team[1] was already conducted in a similar way on the dissolution of SAN in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), a low boiling-point solvent.

Ionic liquids (ILs) and polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) offer immense potential for energy storage applications. Their exceptional electrochemical stability and non-flammable nature make them highly attractive alternatives to the traditional organic solvent-based electrolytes currently used in lithium-ion batteries. The introduction of dynamic bonds- whether covalent or non-covalent- can further enhance the performance of these materials by enabling self-healing and reprocessability, critical aspect for advancing a circular economy. [1-2]
Here we present the potential of pyrrolidinium-based PIL electrolytes, characterized by exceptionally high electrochemical stability. This study demonstrates the versatility of ILs through compositions incorporating dynamic covalent bonds (silyl ether or boric ester) and supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding). [3-5]
Supramolecular crosslinking results in mechanically stable gels containing up to 60 wt% ionic liquid/salt. These multicomponent materials exhibit excellent ionic conductivity (exceeding 10–4 S/cm at RT), along with outstanding thermal stability (above 250 °C) and electrochemical stability (above 5 V). Additionally, supramolecular interactions enable reprocessing via hot pressing at 70 °C.
Dynamic crosslinking in PILs can also reach reprocessability at different temperatures. Silyl ether-based PIL, with higher activation energy (174 kJ/mol), require elevated temperatures (around 180 °C) for effective self-healing and reprocessing. Conversely, boric ester-based PILs, with a moderate activation energy (63 kJ/mol), allow reprocessing at lower temperatures. This latter composition is also suitable for 3D printing via extrusion methods, as its viscosity decreases significantly at temperatures as low as 120 °C, enabling the preparation of complex geometries.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have recently gained significant interest in the scientific community because of their fast efficiency improvements, non-toxicity, and short energy payback times. Their high absorbance, simple solution-based manufacturing, and potentially flexible solar cell design make them particularly promising for space applications. Combined with unscalable deposition techniques like slot-die printing, a fast and low-waste fabrication method makes them even more viable. OSCs are particularly suited for space as their thin, lightweight structure provides a higher power-to-weight ratio than conventionally used gallium arsenide solar cells, lowering production and launch costs. OSCs have already proven to work in space for a short time [1]. However, space conditions like extreme temperatures, high vacuum, and radiation accelerate degradation.
Thus, in this study, we examine how printed OSCs are affected by extreme temperature variations ranging from 0 to 120 °C. Using operando grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), a nondestructive method for studying thin-film morphology, while at the same time, we track the electrical performance of the OSCs in vacuum to simulate space conditions. The goal of this experimental setup is to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of OSCs during high-temperature variations. By addressing these issues, we expect to increase the OSCs’ longevity and performance and learn more about the upscaling procedure, which will make them a more practical choice for space applications.

Designing low-bandgap (LBG) donor-acceptor polymeric semiconductors for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is rarther complex without a universal blueprint. Achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE), good solubility, and long-term stability requires a delicate balance of electronic, structural, and processing properties. Key factors like donor-acceptor selection, backbone rigidity, molecular planarity, and functional group tuning, all shape charge transport and optical absorption. Meanwhile, strategic side-chain engineering ensures solubility and processability, while structural modifications enhance environmental and thermal stability. To tackle the aforementioned challenges, we followed a systematic approach combining experimental synthesis with detailed characterization to finely tune 1,2-bis(3-dodecyl-thiophene)ethene-based copolymers. Employing the donor-acceptor (D-A) method via Stille cross-coupling, we synthesized random copolymers incorporating dithienothiophenodiketopyrrolopyrrole as a donor and octylo-thienopyrrolodione derivatives as acceptors. Through precise molecular tuning, adjusting aromaticity and substituent effects, we prepared materials with optimized optoelectronic properties. Advanced characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) provided deep insights into their unique structural and electronic behaviors, paving the way for next-generation OPV materials[1-4].

Utilizing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) in Li-metal batteries is a promising approach to achieving high energy density and enhanced safety. However, conventional SPEs face several challenges, including insufficient mechanical strength, low ionic conductivity, and poor stability. To address these limitations, dynamic supramolecular SPEs with hard-soft segments design have been developed [1].
In this work, we successfully designed a dynamic supramolecular poly(thiourea-disulfide-fluoromethyl) (PTUSF) solid electrolyte. The combination of low-crystallinity polyether soft segments with rigid bis(trifluoromethyl) benzidine and 4-Aminophenyl disulfide hard segments resulted in both high mechanical strength and excellent ionic conductivity. The synergistic effects of three dynamic bonding motifs (disulfide bonds, thiourea bonds, and hydrogen bonds) endowed the electrolyte with good self-healing and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the presence of polar thiourea enhanced the lithium-ion transference number through peculiar thiourea-anion interactions. Additionally, the rich S, N, and F content within the polymer chains facilitated the in-situ formation of stable LiF and Li₃N at the electrode-electrolyte interface, significantly improving the stability of lithium-metal batteries. The well-engineered PTUSF solid electrolyte exhibited high ionic conductivity, superior mechanical strength, excellent self-healing ability, and enhanced interfacial stability, making it a promising candidate for next-generation lithium-metal batteries.