Indium-Mediated Glue-Like Interlayer Enables Stable High-Capacity Flexible Sodium Metal Batteries.

Li, Xinyan; Wen, Shujing; Zhou, Junhua; Guo, Yanpeng; Cai, Jiehua; Wang, Xingyang; Yang, Yongqiang; Ye, Ang et al. · Adv Mater · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Na metal is considered as a highly promising anode material for Na batteries, owing to its high theoretical capacity (1166 mAh g<sup>-1</sup>) and low redox potential (-2.71 V vs. SHE). However, its practical application is significantly hindered by interfacial instability and dendrite formation arising from uneven Na deposition, which severely compromise its cycling lifespan. Herein, we develop a robust three-dimensional glue-like interlayer via in situ electrochemical conversion of CuInS<sub>2</sub> on a flexible Cu current collector. This process yields a Na<sub>2</sub>S/Na<sub>5</sub>InS<sub>4</sub>/Cu composite interlayer of strong interphase connections, ensuring tight interfacial connections and exceptional mechanical stability throughout extended cycling, thereby effectively mitigating interfacial degradation. With this interlayer, the Na metal anode achieves a high Coulombic efficiency over 99.4%, outstanding symmetrical cell stability exceeding 2400 hours, and excellent high-capacity full cell cycling (95.3% capacity retention after 1000 cycles). Flexible pouch cells retain 95% capacity over 200 cycles and endure more than 10,000 bending.