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Multi-Scale Architecture Regulation of Hard Carbons for High-Efficiency Sodium Storage Across Ambient and Subzero
Huadong Suo1,2, Zhonghui Chen1,2, Chaozhong Liu1,2
1National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|January 31, 2026
Summary
This study developed advanced hard carbons for efficient sodium storage, even in subzero temperatures. These materials offer high capacity and stability, crucial for next-generation sodium-ion batteries.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Hard carbons are cost-effective for sodium storage but limited by defects and poor stability.
- Existing hard carbons struggle with electrochemical performance, especially at low temperatures.
- Tailoring microstructure is key to overcoming these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop polymer-derived hard carbons with tailored micro- and nanoscale structures for enhanced sodium storage.
- To improve electrochemical performance under both ambient and subzero conditions.
- To investigate sodium storage mechanisms and kinetics in engineered hard carbons.
Main Methods:
- Multi-scale structural regulation strategy using pitch-modulated carbonization of polyphosphazene precursors.
- In situ characterizations and computational techniques to analyze structure-property relationships.
- Electrochemical testing at various temperatures and rates.
Main Results:
- Achieved monodisperse microparticles with short-range ordered graphitic domains.
- Enhanced bulk conductivity, abundant closed pores, and tailored low-surface-area microparticles.
- Remarkable reversible capacity (413.7 mAh g-1), high ICE (87.1%), and excellent rate capability.
- Exceptional cycling stability at -20°C with 98.8% capacity retention after 3000 cycles.
Conclusions:
- The proposed strategy effectively tailors hard carbon microstructure for superior sodium storage.
- The engineered hard carbons demonstrate practical viability for sodium-ion batteries under extreme conditions.
- This work provides insights into microstructure design for high-performance energy storage devices.
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