3D Hierarchical Micro/Nanostructures for Sodium-Based Battery Anode Materials

To meet the increasing energy demand, the development of rechargeable batteries holds immense potential to extend the limitations of electrochemical performance in energy storage devices and enhances the economic efficiency of the energy storage market. Sodium-based batteries have gained tremendous attention in recent years as a potential alternative to reduce the supply risks concerned with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to the cost-effectiveness and abundance of sodium resources in earth. However, it is still limited by the large ionic radius of Na⁺ and heavy sodium atoms, which lead to a short cycle life and low energy/power density caused by the sluggish reaction kinetics. A pivotal factor in propelling the commercialization of sodium-based batteries lies in the exploration of advanced anode materials that ideally offer increased mass loading, superior energy/power density, and enhanced conductivity. Three-dimensional hierarchical micro/nanostructured (3D-HMNs) materials have achieved significant research interest since they have played a crucial role in improving the performance of sodium-based cells. They have numerous active sites, versatile functionalization, and favorable transport distances for mass/electron, as well as superior electrochemical performances, which are correlated with the nature of structures and composition.