Review on suppressing the shuttle effect for room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries are considered as a promising next-generation energy storage system due to their remarkable energy density and natural abundance. However, the severe shuttling behavior of sodium polysulfides (NaPSs) significantly hinders their commercial visibility. Therefore, several strategies have been developed to tackle this issue, which is crucial to boosting the reaction kinetics of sulfur and enhancing the battery cycling stability. This review meticulously and comprehensively summarizes the various strategies employed by different components to inhibit the shuttling of NaPSs. First, we describe the working principles of RT Na-S batteries and the corresponding formation mechanism of the shuttle effect in detail. Subsequently, the latest advancements and techniques for alleviating the NaPSs shuttling are systematically examined from four perspectives: cathode, electrolyte, separator, and anode. Finally, this review presents an exhaustive analysis of the current challenges and future research prospects concerning the inhibition of the shuttle effect in RT Na-S batteries.