Exploration into the Synthesis and Sodium Storage Characteristics of Hard Carbon Derived from Plastics

Abstract The crux for the advancement of high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries resides in the development of low‐cost, high‐performance hard carbon anode materials. In this study, waste plastics are utilized as precursors to prepare plastic‐derived hard carbon materials through a simple high‐temperature one‐step carbonization method, which is particularly suitable for new energy storage devices such as sodium‐ion batteries and supercapacitors. Through in‐depth exploration, we discover that the initial coulombic efficiency of hard carbon is intimately associated with its structure, within which the PU material exhibits the attributes of high capacity, initial coulombic efficiency, and excellent cycle performance, meriting further optimization of hard carbon precursor materials. In this study, a novel idea of preparing a high‐performance hard carbon anode by a low‐carbon and environmentally friendly method is proposed, and the key factors influencing the electrochemical performance of hard carbon materials are revealed, providing a valuable experimental basis for the further development of sodium anodes.