Metallic Sodium Anodes for Advanced Sodium Metal Batteries: Progress, Challenges and Perspective

Abstract

Sodium (Na)‐based batteries, as the ideal choice of large‐scale and low‐cost energy storage, have attracted much attention. Na metal anodes with high theoretical specific capacity and low potential are considered to be one of the most promising anodes for next‐generation Na‐based batteries. However, the high reactivity of Na metal anodes makes the electrode/electrolyte phase unstable, resulting in formation of Na dendrites, short cycle life and safety problems. Herein, the contribution outlines the latest development of Na metal anodes for Na metal batteries. The design strategies for high efficiency utilization of Na metal anodes are elucidated, including sophisticated electrode construction, liquid electrolyte optimization, electrode/electrolyte interface stabilization, and solid electrolyte adaptation. Finally, the future research direction and existing problems are proposed.

Wide-temperature-range sodium-metal batteries: from fundamentals and obstacles to optimization

“…200,204,206 Therefore, probing the electrochemical behavior and interfacial chemistry of liquid electrolytes is of great investigative value. 200,207 Recently, some novel analytical tools have provided conditions for the chemical reaction of exploring liquid electrolytes. 166 However, owing to the formation of a soluble, continuously thickened SEI and poor stability with electrodes, the large-scale application of traditional liquid electrolytes in SMBs has encountered significant obstacles.…”

“…200,208 As an effective strategy, the development of novel liquid electrolytes has made tremendous progress in the formation of suitable SEI layers, improving ion-transfer rates and expanding the electrochemical window. 206,207,209 In this part, we comprehensively summarize the significant breakthroughs made by pioneers in liquid electrolytes, especially in extreme environments.…”

“…Benefiting from the enrichment of N/S-containing functional clusters in natural silk fibers, a dense and uniform buffer layer with N/S-doped carbon defects was coated on the sodium metal surface. 145,207 Fig. 18b shows the TEM images of SFC/CNTs.…”

“…Similar to the initial morphology, SFC/CNTs-Na exhibits a porous surface without evidence of dendrites, indicating that the SFC/CNTs buffer layer inhibits the growth of Na dendrites and anode expansion. 145,207…”

A review on “Growth mechanisms and optimization strategies for the interface state of solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries”

“…Lithium dendrites are the dendritic metal lithium formed by lithium-ion reduction during the charging process of lithium batteries. [91][92][93][94][95][96] The growth of lithium dendrites will make the electrode and electrolyte of LIBs 295 Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Ref. 297 Copyright 2019.…”