Superior Sodium Metal Anodes Enabled by Sodiophilic Carbonized Coconut Framework with 3D Tubular Structure

Although extensive efforts have been made to stabilize metal sodium anodes and prevent dendrite formation, it is still difficult to achieve long-term stability at large area capacity and high current density due to a series of complex failure modes, including uneven Na nucleation and subsequent dendrite formation. Herein, an oxygen-containing carbonized coconut framework (O-CCF) with a 3D tubular structure is designed to inhibit dendrite growth. The 3D tubular structure can regulate the uniform distribution of electric field, making Na+ diffuse evenly on the electrode surface. The oxygen functional groups with sodiophilicity contribute to the adsorption of Na+ and reduce the Na nucleation energy on the surface of O-CCF. The interaction of 3D tubular structure and oxygen functional groups enable Na stripping/plating over 10 000 cycles at 50 mA cm(-2), as well as cycling stably for 1000 cycles with coulombic efficiency of 99.6% at 5 mA cm(-2) and high areal capacity of 10 mAh cm(-2). As a proof of concept, full cells of O-CCF//Na-Na3V2(PO4)(3) (NVP) and Na-O-CCF//Fe7S8 are assembled and exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance. This work presents a promising strategy for fabrication of safe Na metal anodes.

Automated summary

The oxygen-containing carbonized coconut framework (O-CCF) with a 3D tubular structure is designed to inhibit dendrite growth, enabling stable Na stripping/plating over 10,000 cycles. The oxygen functional groups contribute to the adsorption of Na+ and reduce the Na nucleation energy on the surface of O-CCF.