文摘

Rechargeable metal–oxygen batteries are receiving significant interest as a possible alternative to current state of the art lithium ion batteries due to their potential to provide higher gravimetric energies, giving significantly lighter or longer-lasting batteries. Recent advances suggest that the Na–O₂ battery, in many ways analogous to Li–O₂ yet based on the reversible formation of sodium superoxide (NaO₂), has many advantages such as a low charge overpotential (∼100 mV) resulting in improved efficiency. In this Perspective, we discuss the current state of knowledge in Na–O₂ battery technology, with an emphasis on the latest experimental studies, as well as theoretical models. We offer special focus on the principle outstanding challenges and issues and address the advantages/disadvantages of the technology when compared with Li–O₂ batteries as well as other state-of-the-art battery technologies. We finish by detailing the direction required to make Na–O₂ batteries both commercially and technologically viable.