@article{Zhang2026, 
author = {Yixin Zhang and Feng Wu and Zekai Lv and Yan Chen and Wei Wang and Mengfei Dong and Yuefeng Su and Man Xie},
title = {Unlocking Anode-Free Sodium Metal Batteries Via Solvent Co-Insertion Mediated In Situ Sodiophilic Interface Engineering},
year = {2026},
journal = {Energy & Environmental Materials},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
keywords = {anode-free sodium batteries, in situ induced sodiophilic interface, solvent co-insertion},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1002/eem2.70112},
doi = {10.1002/eem2.70112},
abstract = {Anode-free sodium metal batteries hold significant promise for high-energy-density storage but face critical challenges related to sodium deposition dynamics and interfacial instability. Traditional approaches, such as alloy-based current collectors or fluorinated interfaces, often suffer from irreversible volume expansion or corrosive fabrication processes. This study introduces a solvent co-intercalation-mediated in situ sodiophilic interface engineering strategy to overcome these limitations. A graphitized carbon-modified aluminum current collector dynamically regulates interfacial evolution through solvated sodium-ion co-intercalation during initial cycling, prompting the formation of a C-NaF interface with ultralow Na+ adsorption energy. This sodiophilic interface not only facilitates uniform sodium nucleation by providing abundant sodium-philic sites but also encourages the preferential decomposition of anions in the electrolyte, leading to the creation of a robust and NaF-rich solid electrolyte interphase. Consequently, the asymmetric half-cell delivers an ultralow nucleation overpotential (9.7 mV at 0.5 mA cm−2) and maintains an average coulombic efficiency of 99.8% over 400 cycles at 1 mA cm−2. When combined with a Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPOF) cathode, the full cell achieves an energy density of 363 Wh kg−1 with 80% capacity retention after 250 cycles at 0.5 C. This work integrates molecular-level dynamic interfacial engineering with macroscopic electrochemical stability, providing a scalable industrial solution for next-generation battery systems.}
}