Tuning crystal structure and redox potential of NASICON-type cathodes for sodium-ion batteries

• Published in: Nano research Vol. 13; no. 12; pp. 3330 - 3337
• Main Authors: Ma, Xuemei, Cao, Xinxin, Zhou, Yifan, Guo, Shan, Shi, Xiaodong, Fang, Guozhao, Pan, Anqiang, Lu, Bingan, Zhou, Jiang, Liang, Shuquan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Tsinghua University Press 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Atomic/Molecular Structure and Spectra; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Cathodes; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Conductors; Crystal structure; Flux density; Ion currents; Ion migration; Ion storage; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Rechargeable batteries; Redox potential; Research Article; Sodium; Sodium channels (voltage-gated); Sodium-ion batteries; Structural stability; crystal structure; full cell; sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type; cathode material; sodium ion battery
• ISSN: 1998-0124; 1998-0000
• DOI: 10.1007/s12274-020-3011-6

Sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type compounds have been regarded as promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their favorable ionic conductivity and robust structural stability. However, their high cost and relatively low energy density restrict their further practical application, which can be tailored by widening the operating voltages with earth-abundant elements such as Mn. Here, we propose a rational strategy of infusing Mn element in NASICON frameworks with sufficiently mobile sodium ions that enhances the redox voltage and ionic migration activity. The optimized structure of Na 3.5 Mn 0.5 V 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 /C is achieved and investigated systematically to be a durable cathode (76.6% capacity retention over 5,000 cycles at 20 C) for SIBs, which exhibits high reversible capacity (113.1 mAh·g −1 at 0.5 C) with relatively low volume change (7.6%). Importantly, its high-areal-loading and temperature-resistant sodium ion storage properties are evaluated, and the full-cell configuration is demonstrated. This work indicates that this Na 3.5 Mn 0.5 V 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 /C composite could be a promising cathode candidate for SIBs.