Carbonaceous Nanosheets for Sodium Metal Anodes: Engineering Interphases and Deposition Frameworks.

Abstract

Sodium metal, with its high theoretical specific capacity (1166 mA h g^-1), low redox potential, and abundant natural resources, is considered as a promising anode material for next-generation energy storage systems. Nevertheless, critical challenges, including the instability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), the formation of "dead sodium", and uncontrollable dendrite growth, result in low Coulombic efficiency, short cycle life, and severe safety risks, limiting its commercialization. To overcome these issues, strategies focusing on interfacial stabilization and intrinsic deposition framework design have become research priorities. Among various modification materials, two-dimensional (2D) carbon-based materials, such as Graphene and its derivatives, carbon cloth, etc., have demonstrated potential due to their high specific surface area, abundant surface chemistry, mechanical stability, and environmental sustainability. Herein, this review initially highlights two fundamental challenges faced by sodium metal anodes (SMAs). Subsequently, this work summarizes the applications of 2D carbon-based materials in developing independent supportive membranes (ISM) and sodium-affinitive deposition substrates, focusing on their roles in functional regulation and structural optimization. Finally, the remaining challenges in developing high-performance SMAs using 2D carbon-based materials are discussed, and future opportunities in this field are explored. The insights provided herein aim to support the technological development and practical implementation of SMAs for next-generation energy storage systems.