Recent Advances of Catalytic Effects in Cathode Materials for Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur Batteries

Electrocatalysts in room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) have captured numerous attention. But, they suffered from shuttle effect and surface passivation. RT-Na/S show inferior energy-storage abilities, ascribed to the larger radii of Na-ions. Herein, the vigorous review is displayed from different kinds of metal-based traits, containing single metal, metal-based samples, and multifunctional hybrids. Through the controlling of structures and composition, the conversion reaction about liquid/solid phases would be enhanced, accompanied by the enhancements of cycling stabilities and rate properties, which enables the break-through of practical applications. The in-depth influences of catalytic effects on the Na-S reaction mechanism and the corresponding electrochemical performance in recently representative works are systematically reviewed. Particularly, this review is anticipated to propose potential research directions for further enhancement of RT-Na/S batteries.