Recent advances in Sodium-ion battery research: Materials, performance, and commercialization prospects

Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries are becoming more popular as a budget-friendly and eco-friendly substitute for lithium-ion batteries, thanks to the plentiful supply of sodium and its reduced raw material expenses. Recent developments in sodium-ion battery research have concentrated on enhancing the performance of crucial elements such as cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes. Important advancements have been achieved in the creation of high-capacity cathodes, including layered transition metal oxides, Prussian blue analogs, and polyanionic compounds, as well as anode materials like hard carbon and alloy-based compounds. Research on electrolytes, including solid-state and ionic liquid options, aims to improve ionic conductivity, cycle stability, and prevent issues like dendrite formation. Although sodium-ion batteries generally have a lower energy density compared to lithium-based batteries, they exhibit significant potential for large-scale uses such as grid energy storage, where cost and cycle life are more important than energy density. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in Na-ion technology and discusses the growing prospects for its commercialization in the near future.