Novel Methods for Sodium-Ion Battery Materials

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) as an ideal candidate for large-scale energy-storage systems (ESSs) have been the subject of extensive attention worldwide as a result of the ever-growing energy demands. Development of advanced NIB techniques with potentially higher performance is of great concern to meet the requirements of ESSs. Based on modern material characterization methods and technological optimizations, the systematic understanding of rechargeable batteries has been further developed. Novel methods for NIB materials could provide a rational guideline for the fundamental understanding and practical optimization of battery systems. Here, the focus is mainly on a discussion of novel or fresh experimental methods and characterization techniques for NIB materials from the relationships between properties and performances, which are roughly classified into four parts: structure-related techniques, composition-related techniques, size and morphology-related techniques, and surface-and interface-related techniques. Respective detection mechanisms of each method will be discussed, and special attention is paid to examples of these characterization techniques for NIB devices. It is hoped that by the study of NIB-related details, a certain reference to the development of advanced materials can be provided.