NASICON-type air-stable and all-climate cathode for sodium-ion batteries with low cost and high-power density.

Chen, Mingzhe; Hua, Weibo; Xiao, Jin; Cortie, David; Chen, Weihua; Wang, Enhui; Hu, Zhe; Gu, Qinfen et al. · Nat Commun · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The development of low-cost and long-lasting all-climate cathode materials for the sodium ion battery has been one of the key issues for the success of large-scale energy storage. One option is the utilization of earth-abundant elements such as iron. Here, we synthesize a NASICON-type tuneable Na<sub>4</sub>Fe<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>)/C nanocomposite which shows both excellent rate performance and outstanding cycling stability over more than 4400 cycles. Its air stability and all-climate properties are investigated, and its potential as the sodium host in full cells has been studied. A remarkably low volume change of 4.0% is observed. Its high sodium diffusion coefficient has been measured and analysed via first-principles calculations, and its three-dimensional sodium ion diffusion pathways are identified. Our results indicate that this low-cost and environmentally friendly Na<sub>4</sub>Fe<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>)/C nanocomposite could be a competitive candidate material for sodium ion batteries.