大规模储能的二次电池不仅需要具有适宜的电化学性能，更需考虑资源、成本和环境效益等应用要求. 锂离子电池储能的大规模应用也将受到制约. 从资源与环境方面考虑，钠离子电池作为储能电池更具应用优势. 然而，从目前的技术现状来看，几类不同的嵌钠正极材料虽显现出可观的嵌钠容量与较好的循环性，但能量密度与功率密度尚待提高. 硬碳材料和合金负极最有希望用于钠离子电池，这类材料的初始充放电效率和循环稳定性仍有待改善. 本文简要分析了锂离子电池与钠离子电池在材料要求方面的差异，回顾了近年来钠离子电池材料探索中的突破性进展，并主要结合本课题组的研究工作讨论了钠离子电池及其关键材料的发展方向.

Oncoming large scale electric energy storage (EES) requires battery systems not only to have sufficient storage capacity but also to be cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Li-ion batteries for widespread EES applications may be limited due to the constraint of global lithium resource. From the considerations of available resources and environmental impact, Na-ion batteries have potential advantages as next generation secondary batteries and an alternative to Li-ion batteries. However, in the present state of the art, the Na-storage cathodes reported so far are still deficient both in energy density and power capability, while the carbon and alloy anodes for Na-ion batteries have also the problem of insufficient cycling life for battery applications. This paper reviews briefly the recent advances in the development of Na-storage materials, analyses the different structural requirements for the materials in Li-ion and Na-ion batteries and discusses the possible strategies for development of low cost and pollution-free materials for rechargeable Na-ion batteries.