Integrated adsorption-catalysis design enabling high-performance sodium-sulfur batteries

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries have attracted extensive attention owing to their high energy density, abundant raw materials and cost-effectiveness for large-scale energy storage applications. However, their practical application is still limited by the severe shuttle effect and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics. To tackle these issues, multifunctional materials based on adsorption-catalysis synergy have been widely reported to anchor soluble sodium polysulfides (NaPSs) and accelerate their redox reaction process. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recent progress in electrode materials with synergistic adsorption-catalysis effects. First, we introduce the electrochemical mechanisms and critical challenges of RT Na-S batteries and elucidate the working principle of adsorption-catalysis synergy. Subsequently, the recent advances in enhancing the electrochemical behaviors of RT Na-S batteries are meticulously discussed based on an adsorption-catalysis synergistic strategy. Finally, given the gap between current lab-scale research and industrial production needs, we point out the existing challenges and future research directions toward achieving the commercial application of RT Na-S batteries.