Preparation and Application of Thin‐Sodium Metal

Abstract

With the development of energy storage technology, the new energy storage materials are more diverse. The sodium metal has the advantages of high energy density, rich resource reserves, and low costs for raw materials, becoming promising advanced energy storage materials for application. However, the low tensile strength of sodium metal makes it difficult to process deformation while its severe viscosity and low melting point affect the subsequent manufactory and application of batteries. These characteristics hinder the processing and preparation of thin‐sodium metal. The designs of composite‐supporting structure, alloying, and the interface strengthening for sodium metal can effectively overcome the difficulties in preparation of the thin sodium. In this review, the design principles of thin sodium in terms of processing and preparation, according to the physical and chemical properties of sodium metal, are discussed. Meanwhile, the key challenges and new development opportunities are addressed for the processing and preparation of the thin‐sodium metal, which is beneficial for deeply understanding the reliable fabrication and realizing the practical application of thin‐sodium metals.

Adjusting Ion Diffusion Kinetics of Li Deposition Enabled by an Elastic Porous Melamine Sponge Host for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes

“…Li metal anodes can endow lithium metal batteries with high energy density due to their high capacity of 3680 mAh g –1 and low reduction potential (−3.04 V vs standard hydrogen electrode). − However, both the uncontrollable Li dendrite growth and corresponding large volume expansion seriously hinder their practical application. − Many strategies have been applied to suppress Li dendrite growth, such as electrolyte additives, − an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), − and a solid-state electrolyte, − and aim to stabilize the Li/electrolyte interface and induce Li uniform deposition. Nevertheless, issues such as the infinite volume stress and inhomogeneous electric field distribution during the Li plating/stripping process, especially at a high current density and capacity, would easily give rise to interface cracking, inevitably worsening cyclability. , Guided by Sand’s model, the 3D conductive hosts possess an enlarged electrochemically active area, which can effectively disperse the local current density to alleviate the growth of dendritic Li and provide wide diffusion pathways for electrons and ions, − which is considered to be a crucial strategy for Li metal anodes.…”