Recently, a research team headed by Professor Zhang Jianguo of the School of Mechatronical Engineering at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) has published a groundbreaking research paper in the esteemed international journal Nano-Micro Letters (Impact Factor: 36.300) (DOI: 10.1007/S40820-026-02163-2). The paper, titled "Rapid Charging of Sodium-Sulfur Batteries Enabled by Pea-Pod-like Homojunctions with Induced Band Bending via Co-implantation Design," introduces an innovative concept termed "induced homojunction."

In this study, the researchers constructed a sandwich-type p-n molybdenum carbide homojunction through a synergistic design involving iron doping and molybdenum vacancies. This unique structure capitalizes on the p-type and n-type conductive properties of adjacent molybdenum carbide layers to facilitate swift electron and hole transfer across the interface. Such a configuration enhances the reactivity of reaction sites, thereby promoting the efficient capture of polysulfides and the cleavage of the original S-S bonds.

Moreover, the process of band bending spontaneously establishes a bidirectional intrinsic electric field, which drives high-speed ion and electron transport. This, in turn, enables a high-depth charging-discharging process and rapid conversion reaction kinetics, showcasing exceptional fast-charging performance. The findings of this research offer fresh perspectives on the design of efficient electrocatalysts and hold immense significance for the swift advancement of sodium-sulfur batteries.