Research progress in the preparation of sodium-ion battery anode materials using ball milling

Sodium-ion batteries are regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries due to the greater abundance and lower cost of sodium compared to lithium. However, sodium-ion batteries have not yet been widely adopted. The main reason is that, compared to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density and shorter cycle life, with the performance of anode materials directly affecting the energy density and cycle stability of sodium-ion batteries. Notably, ball milling, as an efficient material processing technique, has been widely applied in the preparation and modification of sodium-ion battery anode materials in recent years. This paper reviews the recent progress in the preparation of sodium-ion battery anode materials using ball milling. The process is categorized into ball milling mixing, ball milling exfoliation, ball milling synthesis, and ball milling doping. First, the basic principles and mechanisms of ball milling technology are introduced. Then, the preparation of different types of sodium-ion battery anode materials is discussed based on four specific categories. For various material systems, the effects of ball milling on the structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance are discussed. Additionally, the advantages and challenges of using ball milling in the preparation of sodium-ion battery anode materials are summarized. Finally, the future directions and development trends in the preparation of sodium-ion battery anode materials using ball milling are forecasted, aiming to provide insights and references for further research in this field.