Highly Efficient Sodium Storage in Iron Oxide Nanotube Arrays Enabled by Built‐In Electric Field

Abstract High‐power sodium–ion batteries capable of charging and discharging rapidly and durably are eagerly demanded to replace current lithium–ion batteries. However, poor activity and instable cycling of common sodium anode materials represent a huge barrier for practical deployment. A smart design of ordered nanotube arrays of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) is presented as efficient sodium anode, simply enabled by surface sulfurization. The resulted heterostructure of oxide and sulfide spontaneously develops a built‐in electric field, which reduces the activation energy and accelerates charge transport significantly. Benefiting from the synergy of ordered architecture and built‐in electric field, such arrays exhibit a large reversible capacity, a superior rate capability, and a high retention of 91% up to 200 cycles at a high rate of 5 A g⁻¹, outperforming most reported iron oxide electrodes. Furthermore, full cells based on the Fe₂O₃ array anode and the Na_0.67(Mn_0.67Ni_0.23Mg_0.1)O₂ cathode deliver a specific energy of 142 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 330 W kg⁻¹ (based on both active electrodes), demonstrating a great potential in practical application. This material design may open a new door in engineering efficient anode based on earth‐abundant materials.