Designing High-Performance Organic Electrode Materials for Sodium-Ions Batteries: Strategies and Insights

Abstract

Organic electrode materials, known for their abundance and environmental friendliness, have garnered significant attention as promising electrode materials of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Through the proposed structural design, organic compounds with flexible structure can meet the diverse demands of rechargeable SIBs. However, the practical applications of organic electrode materials are restricted by the intrinsic shortcomings, including poor conductivity and high solubility in organic electrolytes. This review summarizes recent advancements in organic electrode materials design strategies to overcome these limitations and enhance SIB performance. Key approaches include designing novel active centers and optimizing molecular structures in conjugated organic molecules, thereby maximizing theoretical specific capacity. Additional strategies, such as chain extension and combination with the conductive substrate, improve ion/electron conductivity and reduce solubility in organic electrolytes. Furthermore, innovative structure designs, including non-conjugated materials and organic-metal composites, offer new pathways to achieve high-performance electrodes. These strategies provide foundational design principles for advancing organic electrode materials in SIB applications. Lastly, we address the challenges and opportunities in organic electrode materials research, highlighting their potential in promoting the development of next-generation, sustainable energy storage systems. High-performance organic electrode materials represent a critical step toward realizing the full potential of SIBs for large-scale energy storage solutions.