State-of-the-art in the studies of sodium-ion batteries is discussed in comparison with their deeper developed lithium-ion analogs. The principal problem hindering the development of competitive...

The temperature influence on the diffusion coefficient for lithium in graphite is investigated. The activation energy for lithium diffusion in graphite is calculated. Its value is 35 kJ mol⁻¹.

The main principles of operation of modern lithium-ion batteries and the modern trends in development of new-generation batteries are described.

The performance of sodium-ion batteries largely depends on the presence and properties of passive films formed on the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Passive films on negative electrodes inevitably result from the reduction in electrolyte components (solvent and salt anion). They have the properties of a solid electrolyte with sodium ion conductivity and are insulators in terms of electronic conductivity. Usually, they are called SEI—solid electrolyte interphase. The formation of SEI is associated with the consumption of a certain charge, which is an irreversible capacity. Passive films on the surface of positive electrodes (CEI—cathode electrolyte interphase) arise as a result of electrolyte oxidation. The present review summarizes the literature of the recent 15 years concerning the effects of electrode nature (hard carbon, other carbon materials, various metals, oxides, chalcogenides, etc.), electrolyte composition, and other factors on composition and properties of SEIs in sodium-ion batteries. Literary data on CEIs are reviewed as well, although their volume is inferior to that of data on SEIs.