journal article·2026-06-04Open access

Anion‐Synergistic Regulation of Solvation‐Layer Chemistry in Nonflammable Electrolytes Enables Highly Safe and Durable Sodium Metal Batteries

Xiaotong Gao, Peng Liu, Yewei Li, Yunjia Liu, Jiyuan You, Yuqian Li, Wenju Wang

Abstract

Uncontrolled dendrite growth, accompanied by thermal runaway in sodium metal, remains a critical bottleneck for practical applications of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). Here, we develop a phosphate‐ester‐based electrolyte and further reconstruct Na + solvation environment by introducing FSI − into an initially single‐anion solvation shell. This design overcomes limitations of conventional single‐anion‐derived interphases, enabling intrinsic nonflammability as well as uniform Na deposition. The electron‐rich, multi‐atom sites of FSI − confer strong coordinating ability, facilitating effective cooperation with to construct a stable − Na + − FSI − solvation shell and induce layered ion‐rich and ion‐poor domains. Multiple characterization techniques confirm that anion‐synergistic solvation chemistry drives in situ formation of a composite interphase enriched with NaF and Na 3 N on the Na anode surface, which homogenizes ion flux, enhances ion transport, and effectively suppresses dendrite growth. The Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 ||Na full cell exhibits 90.5% capacity retention after 1700 cycles at 2 C and 90.7% retention after 500 cycles at 5 C under 60 °C, demonstrating excellent interfacial and thermal stability. Overall, this study offers a general framework for anion‐synergistic regulation of interfacial chemistry toward intrinsically safe and high‐temperature‐tolerant SMBs.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies · Thermal Expansion and Ionic Conductivity · Advancements in Battery Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Energy and Power Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 China

Energy and Technology Institute Nanjing 210094 China

Huaneng Nanjing Jinling Power Generation Co., Ltd. Nanjing 210034 China

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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