A Carbon Foam with Sodiophilic Surface for Highly Reversible, Ultra-Long Cycle Sodium Metal Anode

Sodium metal anodes combine low redox potential (-2.71 V versus SHE) and high theoretical capacity (1165 mAh g(-1)), becoming a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries. Due to the infinite volume change, unstable SEI films, and Na dendrite growth, it is arduous to achieve a long lifespan. Herein, an oxygen-doped carbon foam (OCF) derived from starch is reported. Heteroatom doping can significantly reduce the nucleation resistance of sodium metal; combined with its rich pore structure and large specific surface area, OCF provides abundant nucleation sites to effectively guide the nucleation and subsequent growth of sodium metal, and the nature of this foam can accommodate the deposited sodium. Furthermore, a more uniform, robust, and stable SEI layer is observed on the surface of OCF electrode, so it can maintain ultra-high reversibility and excellent integrity for a long time without dendritic growth. As a result, when the current density is 10 mA cm(-2), the electrode can maintain stable 2000 cycles and the coulombic efficiency can reach to 99.83%. Na@OCF||Na3V2(PO4)(3) full cell also has extremely high capacity retention of about 97.53% over 150 cycles. These results provide a simple but effective method for achieving the safety and commercialization of sodium metal anode.

Automated summary

An oxygen-doped carbon foam (OCF) derived from starch is reported as a promising material for sodium-ion batteries, with the ability to reduce nucleation resistance of sodium metal, provide abundant nucleation sites, and form a more stable SEI layer, leading to stable cycling and high coulombic efficiency. The OCF electrode can maintain stable 2000 cycles at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) with a coulombic efficiency of 99.83%, and the Na@OCF||Na3V2(PO4)(3) full cell also shows high capacity retention over 150 cycles. These results provide a simple and effective method for achieving the safety and commercialization of sodium metal anodes.