Synergy of a heteroatom (P–F) in nanostructured Sn3O4 as an anode for sodium-ion batteries

• Published in: Sustainable energy & fuels Vol. 5; no. 10; pp. 2678 - 2687
• Main Authors: Chothe, Ujjwala P, Ambalkar, Anuradha A, Ugale, Chitra K, Kulkarni, Milind V, Kale, Bharat B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Royal Society of Chemistry 21.05.2021
• Subjects: Anodes; Batteries; Chemical synthesis; Conductivity; Doping; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Electrode materials; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Nanostructure; Rechargeable batteries; Sodium; Sodium-ion batteries; Specific capacity; Structural stability; Tin; Tin compounds
• DOI: 10.1039/d1se00219h

Na-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted attention due to their economics and eco-friendly nature compared to lithium-ion batteries. Tin-based compounds are focused for SIBs owing to high theoretical capacities, though they have problems such as lower conductivity and pulverization that hinder their practical applications. Nanoscaling of the tin-based anode material with dual heteroatom doping having different functions might improve the electrochemical performance. Hence, a green approach for the synthesis of dual ion (P–F)-doped nanostructured Sn3O4 by a hydrothermal method was demonstrated with excellent Na-storage performance. A strategy of synthesizing dual ion-doped Sn3O4 can boost electrochemical performances owing to lattice distortion caused by defects, improved sodium ion conductivity and structural stability of electrodes. Significantly, P and F doping into Sn3O4 exhibits high specific capacity with superior rate capability, i.e. 705 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and 136 mA h g−1 at current density 5 A g−1. The physical insights into the Sn3O4 structure due to doping are illustrated, and the relationship with capacity density was investigated. This dual-ion doping strategy may motivate constructing high-performance SIBs.