An outlook on sodium-ion battery technology toward practical application

The growing concerns over the environmental impact and resource limitations of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have driven the exploration of alternative energy storage technologies. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising candidate due to their reliance on earth-abundant materials, lower cost, and compatibility with existing LIB manufacturing infrastructure. This review explores the recent SIB cathode and anode materials advancements, highlighting the electrochemical properties, structural stability, and potential for large-scale applications. Key cathode materials, such as layered transition metal oxides, polyanionic compounds, and Prussian blue analogs, are analyzed for capacity, stability, and improvement strategies. Challenges in anode development, particularly with hard carbon and alloy-based materials, are also discussed, as well as their performance in electric vehicles and grid storage. Overall, the findings underscore SIBs’ potential as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to LIBs, positioning them as a viable solution to meet the growing energy demands while mitigating environmental impact.