Issue 7, 2024

3D mixed ion/electron-conducting scaffolds for stable sodium metal anodes

Abstract

Sodium (Na) metal batteries represent an optimal choice for the forthcoming generation of large-scale, cost-effective energy storage systems. However, Na metal anodes encounter several formidable challenges during the Na plating and stripping processes, which encompass the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interface, uncontrollable dendrite growth, and infinite volume expansion. These issues result in a reduced Coulombic efficiency, shortened battery lifespan, and potential safety hazards, thereby constraining their commercial development. Therefore, addressing these challenges to ensure the cycling stability of Na metal anodes stands as a paramount requirement for practical applications. Among the reported strategies, three-dimensional conductive scaffolds possessing a high surface area and porous structure are acknowledged for their significant potential in stabilizing Na metal anodes. Compared with conventional electron-conducting scaffolds, emerging mixed ion/electron-conductive (MIEC) scaffolds provide rapid ion/electron transport pathways, which enable uniform Na+ flux and promote dendrite-free Na deposition, thus improving the cycle life of Na metal anodes, even at high current densities and large areal capacities. Therefore, this review primarily emphasizes the recent progress in applying MIEC scaffolds to Na metal anodes. It introduces diverse design methods, examines the electrochemical performance of MIEC scaffolds, and delves into their regulation mechanisms over Na deposition behaviour. Finally, the development prospects and research strategies for MIEC scaffolds from both fundamental research and practical application perspectives are discussed, suggesting directions for further designing high-performance Na metal batteries.

Graphical abstract: 3D mixed ion/electron-conducting scaffolds for stable sodium metal anodes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
15 Nov. 2023
Accepted
11 Dec. 2023
First published
13 Dec. 2023

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 3379-3392

3D mixed ion/electron-conducting scaffolds for stable sodium metal anodes

X. Lu, X. Zhao, S. Ding and X. Hu, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 3379 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR05814J

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