A multichambered carbon based electrode materials to realize efficient sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion counterparts, owing to the widespread availability and low cost of sodium. However, to achieve successful commercialization, the development of a high-performance electrode material is crucial. This study presents a facile synthesis strategy for the production of multichambered carbon cubes (MCCs) derived from ZIF-8 precursors. The optimized process mesoporous MCCs which were then embedded with zinc selenide (ZnSe@MCCs) for the anode and infused with sulfur (S@ZnSe@MCCs) to create the cathode of SIBs. The uniform, hierarchically porous MCC morphologies enable deep electrolyte penetration, unlocking the full potential of these electrode materials. SIBs utilizing ZnSe@MCCs anodes exhibited impressive sodium storage capacities (exceeding 300 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles) and rate capabilities. Moreover, when employed as the cathode, the S@ZnSe@MCCs effectively suppressed the polysulfide shuttle phenomenon. The performance of these sodium-ion cells underscores the potential of MCCs to enable high capacity, long cycle life, and fast kinetics, paving the way for practical and efficient sodium-ion battery technologies.