A spray drying approach for the synthesis of a Na₂C₆H₂O₄/CNT nanocomposite anode for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries have attracted extensive attention for large-scale energy storage applications for renewable energy and smart grids owing to their abundant sodium resources and potential low cost. Compared with the numerous available cathodes, very few anodes are viable for sodium-ion batteries. Here we report a highly safe and low-cost nanocomposite, disodium 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (Na₂C₆H₂O₄)/CNT, prepared by a simple spray drying method, as a high performance anode for sodium-ion batteries. The resulting nanocomposite exhibits a reversible capacity of 259 mA h g^-1 with a first Coulombic efficiency of 88% and excellent rate performance. The average sodium storage voltage is 1.4 V, which prevents the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase layer and consequently ensures high safety, high first Coulombic efficiency and superior rate performance.