Abstract
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Sodium and sulfur offer a promising application in rechargeable batteries due to their low cost, abundant resources and high energy density. Room-temperature (RT) Na���S batteries have been proposed by paring S cathodes with Na anodes in non-aqueous liquid electrolytes. Over decades, researchers have mainly focussed on the development of superior electrodes by nano-engineering efficient S cathodes and stable Na anodes. These studies have effectively improved the electrochemical performance of RT Na���S batteries, validating their bright prospects as stationary energy storage devices for the modern renewable energy trajectory. In comparison, the research on electrolytes receives much less attention, and there is a lack of understanding regarding the impacts of different electrolytes on electrode interfaces and overall battery mechanisms. In this review, multiple-kinds of electrolytes and the interfaces between electrolytes and electrodes in RT Na���S batteries are comprehensively discussed. Challenges and recent progress are presented in terms of the sulfur electrochemical mechanisms: The solid-solid and solid-liquid conversions. With the presentation of the S redox mechanism, future prospects of electrolyte optimizations, cathode, and anode as well as interfacial improvement are systematically discussed.