Promises and Challenges of Sn‐Based Anodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries^†

Abstract

Sn‐based composites are considered as one of the promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities and suitable operation voltages. However, they suffer the huge volume change and unstable electrolyte/electrode interface during sodiation/desodiation, which causes structure collapse and serious capacity loss. In the past few years, great efforts have been made to ameliorate the performances of Sn by rationally designing electrode structures/components or optimizing electrolyte composition. Here, the underlying sodium‐storage reactions in Sn are summarized based on the results from theoretical calculations and advanced characterizations. Then, the recent progresses of Sn‐based composites, i.e., Sn‐based alloys, Sn/C composites, and Sn oxides/sulfides, with various structures for SIBs are discussed in details. After that, how the electrolyte affects solid‐electrolyte interphase and the electrochemical performances is shown. Finally, the future directions for the applications of Sn‐based composites in SIBs are suggested. Hence, this review provides a comprehensive scenario about the applications of Sn‐based composites in SIBs. It will benefit the future development of alloy‐type anodes in SIBs.

SnCo Nanoparticles Loaded in Hollow Carbon Spheres Interlinked by N-Doped Carbon Fibers for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

“…Sn-based anode materials have been considered as promising anode materials for SIBs because of their high theoretical capacity (∼847 mA h g –1 ), volumetric capacity (1210 Ah L –1 ) (based on the formation of Na 15 Sn 4 ), low operation voltage (0.3–0.4 V), , high electronic conductivity, and good safety under ambient conditions. However, the main obstacle to the further development of Sn-based anode materials is the pulverization and agglomeration of electrode materials during sodiation/desodiation, which causes a serious volume change (410%) after full sodiation, leading to electrochemical inactivation for the active material and severe capacity attenuation upon cycling. , To circumvent these problems, great efforts have been made to develop various Sn-based components and structures for SIBs.…”

Biomass‐Assisted Synthesis of Tiny Tin Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen/Oxygen Self‐Doped Carbon Nanosheets as High Performance Anode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…Currently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely applied in diverse electrochemical energy storage and conversion fields due to the high theoretical energy density, long cyclic stability, and environmental friendliness. [1][2][3][4] However, the reserve and uneven global distribution of lithium resources severely limits its large-scale production, preventing the further development of LIBs. [5,6] Due to the substantial deposit and low cost of sodium resources, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as a preferable alternative to LIBs, and have attracted extensive attention.…”

“…Currently, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely applied in diverse electrochemical energy storage and conversion fields due to the high theoretical energy density, long cyclic stability, and environmental friendliness [1–4] . However, the reserve and uneven global distribution of lithium resources severely limits its large‐scale production, preventing the further development of LIBs [5,6] .…”

“…[14,17,18] So, one of the key challenges in SIBs is developing suitable anode materials with excellent electrochemical sodium storage performance. [3,[19][20][21][22] To date, there have diverse anode materials been designed and prepared, such as metals, alloys, metal oxides and sulfides, carbon-based materials and their compounds. [23] Wherein, tin (Sn) is a promising anode material because of its high theoretical specific capacity of 847 mAh g À 1 for Na 15 Sn 4 and low cost.…”

“…For instance, graphite anode used in LIBs cannot meet the requirement of SIBs because there is no enough interlayer space to accommodate Na + ions [14,17, 18] . So, one of the key challenges in SIBs is developing suitable anode materials with excellent electrochemical sodium storage performance [3,19–22] …”