Ideal Bi-Based Hybrid Anode Material for Ultrafast Charging of Sodium-Ion Batteries at Extremely Low Temperatures

Abstract Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as competitive substitutes for low-temperature applications due to severe capacity loss and safety concerns of lithium-ion batteries at − 20 °C or lower. However, the key capability of ultrafast charging at ultralow temperature for SIBs is rarely reported. Herein, a hybrid of Bi nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanorods is demonstrated as an ideal material to address this issue, which is synthesized via a high temperature shock method. Such a hybrid shows an unprecedented rate performance (237.9 mAh g −1 at 2 A g −1 ) at − 60 °C, outperforming all reported SIB anode materials. Coupled with a Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 cathode, the energy density of the full cell can reach to 181.9 Wh kg −1 at − 40 °C. Based on this work, a novel strategy of high-rate activation is proposed to enhance performances of Bi-based materials in cryogenic conditions by creating new active sites for interfacial reaction under large current.