Towards greener energy storage: Brief insights into 3D-printed anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

The safety issues and lack of availability of lithium metal have led to the ever-increasing demand for research on new battery technologies, driven by the need for high-performance electrochemical energy storage (EES) systems. In this regard, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are plausible substitutes for commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the growth of SIBs is primarily hampered by insufficient electrochemical characteristics caused by the sluggish diffusion kinetics of sodium ions. Many solutions have been proposed to overcome such shortcuts, including employing innovative fabrication strategies and development in battery technology, such as the advances in 3D-printed electrodes to improve the overall SIBs’ performance. This brief review explores the recent advancements in SIB technology, directed explicitly at using 3D-printed anodes for improved sodium storage. This new additive process can substantially enhance the efficiency, electrochemical performance, and scalability of SIBs.