Enhancing the Performance of Li/Na-Ion Batteries with Hexagonal Boron Nitride: Advances and Opportunities

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have long dominated the energy storage landscape due to their high energy density and reliability. However, concerns over lithium resource scarcity and sustainability have accelerated the parallel search for alternative systems, with sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) emerging as promising candidates. To meet the performance benchmarks set by LIBs, the development of advanced materials is essential for improving the specific capacity and cycling stability of next-generation batteries. Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN), a structural analogue of graphene, has attracted attention for its exceptional optoelectronic properties, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical inertness. Recent studies have explored the integration of hBN into various components of battery systems, including the anode, separator, and electrolyte, which have demonstrated enhancements in cyclic stability, high-temperature operation, and specific capacity. hBN-based ionogel electrolytes offer superior thermal stability, nonflammability, and high ionic conductivity, presenting a safer alternative to conventional liquid electrolytes. Similarly, hBN-functionalized separators provide improved thermal tolerance, better electrolyte wettability, and elevated electrochemical performance over traditional polypropylene (PP) separators. Moreover, hBN shows potential as an anode material in SIBs, with theoretical insights indicating favorable sodium adsorption and experimental evidence supporting reversible sodiation/desodiation processes. This review summarizes the advances in harnessing hBN for high-performance energy storage, positioning it as a multifunctional material bridging the performance gap between LIBs and SIBs.