High performance NASICON ceramic electrolytes produced by tape-casting and low temperature hot-pressing: Towards sustainable all-solid-state sodium batteries operating at room temperature

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society Vol. 43; no. 11; pp. 4826 - 4836
• Main Authors: Naranjo-Balseca, Johanna M., Martínez-Cisneros, Cynthia S., Pandit, Bidhan, Várez, Alejandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2023
• Subjects: All-solid-state batteries; NASICON electrolytes; Sodium-ion battery; All-solid-state batteries; Sodium-ion battery; NASICON electrolytes
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.04.008

In this work, we propose a processing methodology, based on the combination of tape-casting and low temperature hot-pressing, to develop ceramic NASICON electrolytes with formula Na3.16Zr1.84Y0.16Si2PO12 towards the attainment of solid-state sodium batteries operating at room temperature. Solid-state NASICON electrolytes with very good mechanical properties and high ionic conductivity are successfully tested in terms of electrochemical behavior by using the cell configuration: Na/NASICON/FePO4. Following charge-discharge cycles, an unusual redox pair of FePO4 is found, indicating that the all-solid-state battery with the Na metal anode may be effectively operated at room temperature. At a charge/discharge current density of C/20, the solid-state battery has an initial reversible discharge capacity of 85 mAh/g. Because of its relatively high ionic conductivity and thermostability, when in contact with the Na anode and the FePO4 cathode, the NASICON ceramic electrolyte is a viable option for attaining reliable, safer and sustainable all-solid-state batteries operating at room temperature.