Recently, the research team led by Wang Pengfei and Liu Mengting from the Research Center for Novel Energy Storage and Energy Conversion Nanomaterials at the State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation for Electrical Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, published a comprehensive review paper in the esteemed journal Advanced Energy Materials. The paper, titled "Low-Cost Layered Oxide Cathodes for Practical Sodium-Ion Batteries: Scientific Challenges, Solution Strategies, and Economic Viability," delves into the pressing issues surrounding the development of sodium-ion batteries.

While lithium-ion batteries have dominated the market, the stability of their key raw material supply has become a growing concern. In contrast, sodium-ion batteries, with their abundant resources, are emerging as a robust alternative to lithium-ion counterparts. Among the various cathode materials, layered oxide cathodes have garnered significant attention due to their well-established synthesis techniques and favorable energy density.

However, the environmental impact of nickel production and the volatility of nickel prices have cast a shadow over the use of nickel-containing layered oxide cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. This has underscored the urgency of developing low-cost, nickel-free layered oxide cathode materials. Addressing this need, Wang Pengfei and Liu Mengting's team embarked on a quantitative analysis of the costs associated with commonly utilized metal elements. Their findings revealed that incorporating low-cost electrochemically active elements, such as iron and manganese, alongside inactive elements, could significantly reduce costs.

Moreover, the team delved into the critical scientific challenges that impede electrochemical performance, including iron migration and manganese dissolution. They provided a comprehensive overview of the latest research advancements and proposed effective solution strategies. Through meticulous comparison, the researchers identified manganese-based and iron-manganese-based layered oxide materials as the most cost-effective options, positioning them as promising candidates for practical sodium-ion battery cathodes.

In conclusion, the team outlined the future challenges and research priorities, offering a clear roadmap for the development of layered oxide cathode materials that strike a balance between low cost and superior electrochemical performance.