A High‐Performance Alloy‐Based Anode Enabled by Surface and Interface Engineering for Wide‐Temperature Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Alloy‐based anodes have shown great potential to be applied in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities, suitable working potential, and abundant earth reserves. However, their practical applications are severely impeded by large volume expansion, unstable solid‐electrolyte interfaces (SEI), and sluggish reaction kinetics during cycling. Herein, a surface engineering of tin nanorods via N‐doped carbon layers (Sn@NC) and an interface engineering strategy to improve the electrochemical performance in SIBs are reported. In particular, the authors demonstrate that uniform surface modification can effectively facilitate electron and sodium transport kinetics, confine alloy pulverization, and simultaneously synergize interactions with the ether‐based electrolyte to form a robust organic‐inorganic SEI. Moreover, it is discovered that the diethylene glycol dimethyl ether electrolyte with strong stability and an optimized Na+ solvation structure can co‐embed the carbon layer to achieve fast reaction kinetics. Consequently, Sn@NC anodes deliver extra‐long cycling stability of more than 10 000 cycles. The full cell of Na3V2(PO4)3║Sn@NC exhibits high energy density (215 Wh kg−1), excellent high‐rate capability (reaches 80% capacity in 2 min), and long cycle life over a wide temperature range of −20 to 50 °C.

Design and synthesis of few-layer molybdenum oxide selenide encapsulated in a 3D interconnected nitrogen-doped carbon anode toward high-performance sodium storage

“…5–8 Therefore, developing appropriate anode materials for SIBs with high reversible capacity and excellent durable Na storage is a critical challenge. The multitudinous anode materials for SIBs have been explored and studied so far, such as carbon-based materials, 9 alloy-based materials, 10,11 transition metal compounds, 12,13 and some organic materials. 14 Among them, layered transition metal dichalcogenides (MX 2 , where X stands for S, Se, or Te) with two-dimensional (2D) layered structures with large and adjustable interlayer spacings have proven to be good potential SIB anodes.…”

Emerging Chemistry for Wide-Temperature Sodium-Ion Batteries

“…Furthermore, employing the N-doped carbon layer to coat the Sn, a typical alloy-type anode material, can provide an effective surface modification, which not only limits the volume change of active materials but also prevents the side reaction from attacking the SEI layer when matched with a suitable electrolyte. 183 In particular, the improved diffusion kinetics of Na + could be achieved by surface engineering (Figure 13c). More importantly, the electrochemical reactions of these anodes would be greatly affected by the operating temperatures.…”

“…Copyright 2018 Wiley-VCH. Panel c is reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 Wiley-VCH.…”

A Stress Self‐Adaptive Bimetallic Stellar Nanosphere for High‐Energy Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…The incorporation of distinctive structural characteristics is imperative for the development of such bimetallic composite anode materials. Building on our previous research, [13] we have capitalized on the favorable cyclic stability of Bi metal and the notable specific capacity (Na 15 Sn 4 :847 mA h g −1 ) and low reaction potential (≈0.2 V vs Na + /Na) of Sn metal [14][15][16] to engineer a carbon-coated bimetallic stellar architecture, comprising Bi-centric core enveloped by the Sn sneath to construct the nanoparticle, which is further encapsulated by carbon. The well-integrated stellar configuration harnesses the synergistic effects between Bi and Sn, resulting in enhanced conductivity and accelerated sodium ion diffusion kinetics.…”