A promising carbon-based nanosheet as a suitable Na-anode material

[Display omitted] •Graphene-based material with high efficiency in energy storage.•Graphenylene is a potential candidate for Na-anode alkaline batteries.•The maximum saturation is achieved with NaC3 (up) and NaC1.5 (up-down) ratio.•The theoretical capacity of 445/641 mAh.g−1 is achieved for up/up-down saturation.•Na adsorption occurs via VdW interaction in a symmetrically distributed network. The development of new technologies in the search for efficient energy storage systems is combined with the development of materials that are efficient in this type of application, such as carbon-based nanosheets, a promising alternative to be applied in Na-based batteries. Computational simulations founded on the density functional theory have been carried out to describe the graphenylene (GP) as a promising and versatile 2D material to be applied as a Na-anode material. A complete scan was made to determine the energy profile when a sodium atom travels over the GP, to explain the mechanism of Na interaction and the maximum Na saturation. The theoretical storage capacity of GP reaches 450 mAh/g and 650 mAh/g for up and up-down saturations and (NaC3) and (NaC1.5) ratio respectively. Therefore, the GP appears to be a suitable alternative to be used as a layered material to be applied to Na-based batteries.