Atomic Sn–enabled high-utilization, large-capacity, and long-life Na anode

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Fei Xu - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Changzhen Qu - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Qiongqiong Lu - , Chair of Metallic Materials and Metal Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Jiashen Meng - , Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Author)
  • Xiuhai Zhang - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Xiaosa Xu - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Yuqian Qiu - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Baichuan Ding - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Jiaying Yang - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Fengren Cao - , Soochow University (Author)
  • Penghui Yang - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Guangshen Jiang - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)
  • Stefan Kaskel - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I (Author)
  • Jingyuan Ma - , CAS - Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (Author)
  • Liang Li - , Soochow University (Author)
  • Xingcai Zhang - , Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University (Author)
  • Hongqiang Wang - , Northwestern Polytechnical University Xian (Author)

Abstract

Constructing robust nucleation sites with an ultrafine size in a confined environment is essential toward simultaneously achieving superior utilization, high capacity, and long-term durability in Na metal-based energy storage, yet remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a previously unexplored design of spatially confined atomic Sn in hollow carbon spheres for homogeneous nucleation and dendrite-free growth. The designed architecture maximizes Sn utilization, prevents agglomeration, mitigates volume variation, and allows complete alloying-dealloying with high-affinity Sn as persistent nucleation sites, contrary to conventional spatially exposed large-size ones without dealloying. Thus, conformal deposition is achieved, rendering an exceptional capacity of 16 mAh cm−2 in half-cells and long cycling over 7000 hours in symmetric cells. Moreover, the well-known paradox is surmounted, delivering record-high Na utilization (e.g., 85%) and large capacity (e.g., 8 mAh cm−2) while maintaining extraordinary durability over 5000 hours, representing an important breakthrough for stabilizing Na anode.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereabm7489
JournalScience advances
Volume8
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - May 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 35544572

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas