Aqueous sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs) have attracted great attention in aqueous batteries due to their merit of high safety. However, the constrained work potential and insufficient chemical stability of anode materials in aqueous electrolytes hinder the large-scale application of ASIBs. Sodium titanium phosphate, NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NTP), is considered one of the most promising anode materials for ASIBs due to its excellent electrochemical performance and tunable structure. Recently, great achievements have been made in the development of NTP, however, a comprehensive review of existing studies is still lacking. This article firstly introduces the basic properties of NTP and analyzes the existing challenges. Subsequently, it will provide a comprehensive overview of the key strategies related to the design and modification of NTP materials with optimized electrochemical performance. Finally, based on the current research status and practical needs, suggestions, and future perspectives for advancing NTP in practical applications of ASIBs are presented. This review aims to guide the future research trajectory from basic material innovation to industrial applications, thus promoting the large-scale commercialization of ASIBs.

Rechargeable zinc-based batteries with near-neutral media are standing in the middle of the energy storage field by virtue of their high safety and low cost. However, it is still imperative for Mn-based cathode to improve rate capacity by facilitating ions/electron transfer and long-cycle stability by suppressing Mn dissolution. Herein, promoting electrooxidation kinetics is proposed and employed to construct advanced Mn-Zn battery. The formation of carbon-protected birnessite-MnO₂ is promoted via inducing the electron-donating capability of the heterointerface between the N-C coating and the defective MnO. Moreover, density functional theory calculations also demonstrate that N-C protected birnessite-MnO₂ is more hydrophobic than pure birnessite-MnO₂, which is beneficial to prohibiting Mn dissolution and other side reactions. As a result, the elaborate design realizes effective transformation from low valence to high valence Mn for high capacity (291 mAh·g⁻¹) and protective bamboos-like structure for rate capacity (126 mAh·g⁻¹ at 5 A·g⁻¹) and cycling stability (89% capacity retention after 2,000 cycles). The assembled flexible quasi-solid-state Mn-Zn pouch batteries display application prospects for wearable and implantable electronic devices. The atomic engineering promoting electrooxidation kinetics strategy will be instructive in activating other cathode materials and maximizing their capacity.