Phase Conversion Accelerating “Zn-Escape” Effect in ZnSe-CFs Heterostructure for High Performance Sodium-Ion Half/Full Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as a promising large-scale energy storage system owing to the abundant and low-cost sodium resources. However, their practical application still needs to overcome some problems like slow redox kinetics and poor capacity retention rate. Here, a high-performance ZnSe/carbon fibers (ZnSe-CFs) anode is demonstrated with high electrons/Na⁺ transport efficiency for sodium-ion half/full batteries by engineering ZnSe/C heterostructure. The electrochemical behavior of the ZnSe-CFs heterostructure anode is deeply studied via in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations. Phase conversion is revealed to accelerate the “Zn-escape” effect for the formation of robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). This leads to the ZnSe-CFs delivering a superior rate performance of 206 mAh g⁻¹ at 1500 mA g⁻¹ for half battery and an initial discharge capacity of 197.4 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ for full battery. The work here heralds a promising strategy to synthesize advanced heterostructured anodes for SIBs, and provides the guidance for a better understanding of phase conversion anodes.