Na2FePO4F/Biocarbon Nanocomposite Hollow Microspheres Derived from Biological Cell Template as High-Performance Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

We have successfully synthesized Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposite hollow microspheres from Fe^III precursor as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries through self-assembly of yeast cell biotemplate and sol-gel technology. The carbon coating on the nanoparticle surface with a mesoporous structure enhances electron diffusion into Na₂FePO₄F crystal particles. The improved electrochemical performance of Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposites is attributed to the larger electrode−electrolyte contact area and more active sites for Na⁺ on the surface of hollow microspheres compared with those of Na₂FePO₄F/C. The Na₂FePO₄F/biocarbon nanocomposite exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 114.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, long-cycle stability with a capacity retention of 74.3 % after 500 cycles at 5 C, and excellent rate capability (70.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C) compared with Na₂FePO₄F/C. This novel nanocomposite hollow microsphere structure is suitable for improving the property of other cathode materials for high-power batteries.     

Ascorbic Acid‐Assisted Synthesis of Mesoporous Sodium Vanadium Phosphate Nanoparticles with Highly sp2‐Coordinated Carbon Coatings as Efficient Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Herein, mesoporous sodium vanadium phosphate nanoparticles with highly sp²‐coordinated carbon coatings (meso‐Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C) were successfully synthesized as efficient cathode material for rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries by using ascorbic acid as both the reductant and carbon source, followed by calcination at 750 °C in an argon atmosphere. Their crystalline structure, morphology, surface area, chemical composition, carbon nature and amount were systematically explored. Following electrochemical measurements, the resultant meso‐Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C not only delivered good reversible capacity (98 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1) and superior rate capability (63 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1) but also exhibited comparable cycling performance (capacity retention: ≈74 % at 450 cycles at 0.4 A g^?1). Moreover, the symmetrical sodium‐ion full cell with excellent reversibility and cycling stability was also achieved (capacity retention: 92.2 % at 0.1 A g^?1 with 99.5 % coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles). These attributes are ascribed to the distinctive mesostructure for facile sodium‐ion insertion/extraction and their continuous sp²‐coordinated carbon coatings, which facilitate electronic conduction.     

Rechargeable Room‐Temperature Na–CO2 Batteries

Developing rechargeable Na–CO₂ batteries is significant for energy conversion and utilization of CO₂. However, the reported batteries in pure CO₂ atmosphere are non‐rechargeable with limited discharge capacity of 200 mAh g^?1. Herein, we realized the rechargeability of a Na–CO₂ battery, with the proposed and demonstrated reversible reaction of 3 CO₂+4 Na?2 Na₂CO₃+C. The battery consists of a Na anode, an ether‐based electrolyte, and a designed cathode with electrolyte‐treated multi‐wall carbon nanotubes, and shows reversible capacity of 60000 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1 (≈1000 Wh kg^?1) and runs for 200 cycles with controlled capacity of 2000 mAh g^?1 at charge voltage <3.7 V. The porous structure, high electro‐conductivity, and good wettability of electrolyte to cathode lead to reduced electrochemical polarization of the battery and further result in high performance. Our work provides an alternative approach towards clean recycling and utilization of CO₂.     

碳包覆LiFe0.5Co0.5PO4固溶体正极材料的制备及其电化学性能

分别以四水磷酸铁（FePO₄·4H₂O）和二水草酸亚铁（FeC₂O₄·2H₂O）为铁源,采用简单便捷的流变相法制备了碳包覆LiFe_0.5Co_0.5PO₄固溶体材料（LiFe_0.5Co_0.5PO₄/C,简称为LFCP/C）。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）、透射电镜（TEM）、恒流充放电等测试手段对复合材料的物相、形貌结构和电化学性能进行了表征和测试。结果表明,2种铁源得到的材料均为橄榄石晶型结构且结晶度良好,二者在颗粒尺寸分布、碳包覆效果和电化学性能方面具有显著的差别。用作锂离子电池正极材料时,以FeC₂O₄·2H₂O为原料得到的LFCP/C具有更优异的电性能：在2.5~5.0 V电压范围内,0.1C倍率下（1C=150 mA·g^-1）,放电比容量为137.5 mAh·g^-1,在10C仍具有57.6 mAh·g^-1的放电比容量;0.5C循环100次后容量仍保持78.1%。该样品更佳的电化学性能主要得益于其更小的平均颗粒尺寸,更高的比表面积和理想的碳包覆效果。     

不同碳源合成Na2MnPO4F/C及其作为锂离子电池正极材料的性能

采用湿法球磨和原位热解碳包覆相结合的方法, 分别以硬脂酸、柠檬酸、聚乙二醇-6000 (PEG-6000)、β-环糊精为碳源, 制备了不同结构的Na₂MnPO₄F/C 复合材料, 并研究了它们作为锂离子电池正极材料的电化学行为. 通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、BET比表面积测试、恒流充放电等表征手段, 比较和分析了产物的结构、形貌及电化学性能. 研究结果表明, 由不同碳源制备的材料在形貌和颗粒尺寸上有明显差异, 进而对它们的电化学性能造成很大影响. 影响电化学性能的关键因素在于材料一次颗粒的大小. 其中, 以柠檬酸为碳源制备的样品呈现出典型的微纳结构和最小的一次颗粒(10-40 nm). 并给出最佳的电化学性能: 在1.5-4.8 V电压范围内, 以5 mA·g^-1充放电电流获得的首次放电比容量约为80 mAh·g^-1, 且循环稳定性良好.     

Towards Highly Stable Storage of Sodium Ions: A Porous Na3V2(PO4)3/C Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

A porous Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode material coated uniformly with a layer of approximately 6 nm carbon has been synthesized by the sol–gel method combined with a freeze‐drying process. The special porous morphology and structure significantly increases the specific surface area of the material, which greatly enlarges the contact area between the electrode and electrolyte, and consequently supplies more active sites for sodium ions. When employed as a cathode material of sodium‐ion batteries, this porous Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C exhibits excellent rate performance and cycling stability; for instance, it shows quite a flat potential plateau at 3.4 V in the potential window of 2.7–4.0 V versus Na⁺/Na and delivers an initial capacity as high as 118.9 and 98.0 mA h g^?1 at current rates of 0.05 and 0.5 C, respectively, and after 50 cycles, a good capacity retention of 92.7 and 93.6 % are maintained. Moreover, even when the discharge current density is increased to 5 C (590 mA g^?1), an initial capacity of 97.6 mA h g^?1 can still be achieved, and an exciting capacity retention of 88.6 % is obtained after 100 cycles. The good cycle performance, excellent rate capability, and moreover, the low cost of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C suggest that this material is a promising cathode for large‐scale sodium‐ion rechargeable batteries.     

Carbon coated Na3V2(PO4)3 as novel electrode material for sodium ion batteries

A Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ sample coated uniformly with a layer of 6 nm carbon has been successfully synthesized by a one-step solid state reaction. This material shows two flat voltage plateaus at 3.4 V vs. Na⁺/Na and 1.63 V vs. Na⁺/Na in a nonaqueous sodium cell. When the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C sample is tested as a cathode in a voltage range of 2.7-3.8 V vs. Na⁺/Na, its initial charge and discharge capacities are 98.6 and 93 mAh/g. The capacity retention of 99% can be achieved after 10 cycles. The electrode shows good cycle performance and moderate rate performance. When it is tested as an anode in a voltage range of 1.0-3.0 V vs. Na⁺/Na, the initial reversible capacity is 66.3 mAh/g and the capacity of 59 mAh/g can be maintained after 50 cycles. These preliminary results indicate that Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C is a new promising material for sodium ion batteries.     

MoS2 Nanoflowers with Expanded Interlayers as High‐Performance Anodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

MoS₂ nanoflowers with expanded interlayer spacing of the (002) plane were synthesized and used as high‐performance anode in Na‐ion batteries. By controlling the cut‐off voltage to the range of 0.4–3 V, an intercalation mechanism rather than a conversion reaction is taking place. The MoS₂ nanoflower electrode shows high discharge capacities of 350 mAh g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1, 300 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1, and 195 mAh g^?1 at 10 A g^?1. An initial capacity increase with cycling is caused by peeling off MoS₂ layers, which produces more active sites for Na⁺ storage. The stripping of MoS₂ layers occurring in charge/discharge cycling contributes to the enhanced kinetics and low energy barrier for the intercalation of Na⁺ ions. The electrochemical reaction is mainly controlled by the capacitive process, which facilitates the high‐rate capability. Therefore, MoS₂ nanoflowers with expanded interlayers hold promise for rechargeable Na‐ion batteries.     

Identifying the Structural Evolution of the Sodium Ion Battery Na2FePO4F Cathode

Na₂FePO₄F is a promising cathode material for Na‐ion batteries owing to its relatively high discharge voltage and excellent cycling performance. Now, the long‐ and short‐range structural evolution of Na₂FePO₄F during cycling is studied by in situ high‐energy X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ex situ solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and first‐principles DFT calculations. DFT calculations suggest that the intermediate phase, Na_1.5FePO₄F, adopts the space group of P2₁/c, which is a subgroup (P2₁/b11, No. 14) of Pbcn (No. 60), the space group of the starting phase, Na₂FePO₄F, and this space group provides a good fit to the experimental XRD and NMR results. The two crystallographically unique Na sites in the structure of Na₂FePO₄F behave differently during cycling, where the Na ions on the Na2 site are electrochemically active while those on the Na1 site are inert. This study determines the structural evolution and the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of Na₂FePO₄F in a Na‐ion battery.     

Amorphous iron phosphate/carbonized polyaniline nanorods composite as cathode material in sodium-ion batteries

As-prepared polyaniline (PANI) nanorods have been used to synthesize an iron phosphate/polyaniline (FePO₄/PANI) composition through the microemulsion technique. After sintering at 460 °C under a nitrogen protective atmosphere, the PANI carbonized, yielding the amorphous iron phosphate/carbonized polyaniline nanorods (FePO₄/CPNRs) composite, which acts as the cathode material in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The electrochemical performance of FePO₄/CPNRs composite shows an initial discharge specific capacity of 140.2 mAh g^?1, with the discharge specific capacity being maintained at 134.4 mAh g^?1 after the 120th cycle, up to 87.9 % of the theoretical capacity (154.1 mAh g^?1 for NaFePO₄), as well as an excellent rate capability in sodium-ion batteries. Compared with pure FePO₄, the electrochemical performance has been greatly improved. On the one hand, using the CPNRs as conductive medium significantly improves electronic transport. On the other hand, the FePO₄ sphere of nanoscale particles, which has a large specific surface area, can promote an active material/electrolyte interface reaction and improve the speed of sodiation and desodiation during the charge and discharge process. The amorphous FePO₄/CPNRs composite shows outstanding electrochemical performance as competitive cathode material in SIBs.     

球磨辅助高温固相法制备Li1.0Na0.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2正极材料及其性能

以乙酸盐(乙酸锂、乙酸钠、乙酸钴、乙酸镍、乙酸锰等)为原材料,采用球磨辅助高温固相法制备Li_(1.0)Na_(0.2)Ni_(0.13)Co_(0.13)Mn_(0.54)O_2正极材料。借助XRD、SEM等表征材料的结构和形貌,利用循环伏安、恒流充放电、交流阻抗等方法研究材料的电化学性能。结果表明,钠的掺杂导致颗粒表面光滑度降低,形成Na_(0.77)Mn O_(2.05)新相。0.05C活化过程中,掺钠样品和未掺钠样品首次放电比容量分别为258.4 m Ah·g~(-1)和215.8 m Ah·g~(-1),库伦效率分别为75.2%和72.8%;2C放电比容量分别为116.3 m Ah·g~(-1)和106.2 m Ah·g~(-1)。研究发现,掺钠可减小首次充放电过程的不可逆容量,提高容量保持率;改善倍率性能与容量恢复特性;降低SEI膜阻抗和电荷转移阻抗;掺钠后样品首次循环就可以基本完成Li_2Mn O_3组分向稳定结构的转化,而未掺杂的样品需要两次循环才能逐步完成该过程;XPS结果表明,掺钠样品中Ni~(2+)、Co~(3+)、Mn~(4+)所占比例明显提高,改善了样品的稳定性和电化学性能;循环200次后的XRD结果表明掺钠与未掺钠材料在脱嵌锂反应中的相变化过程基本一致,良好有序的层状结构遭到破坏是循环过程中容量衰减的主要原因。     

Preparation and Investigation on Lattice Distortion and Electrochemical Performances of Li0.95Na0.05FePO4/C

Na⁺ doped sample Li_0.95Na_0.05FePO₄/C was prepared through solid state method. Structure characterization shows Na⁺ is successfully introduced into the LiFePO₄ matrix. Scanning electron microscopy shows the particle size mainly ranges in 1～3 μm. X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement demonstrates lattice distortion with an increased cell volume. As one cathode material, it has a discharge capacity of 150 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. The material exhibits a capacity of 109 and 107 mAh/g at 5 and 7.5 C respectively. When cycled at 1 and 5 C, the material retains 84% (after 1000 cycles) and 86% (after 350 cycles) of the initial discharge capacity respectively indicating excellent structure stability and cycling perfor-mance. Na⁺doping enhances the electrochemical activity especially the cycle performance effectively.     

长循环高电压钠离子电池正极材料P2-Na2/3Mn1/3Bi1/3Ni1/3O2的合成及性能

镍基层状氧化物NaNiO₂钠离子电池材料具有高电压和高容量的特性,且制备方法较为简单,但姜-泰勒(Jahn-Teller)效应使其在高倍率循环下容量较低以及在高电压(4.5 V)下无法稳定循环。通过调节溶胶-凝胶工艺的条件,设计、合成了Na_2/3Mn_1/3Bi_1/3Ni_1/3O₂片层状金属氧化物,并将其作为正极活性材料,在空气环境中组装成钠离子电池,进行电化学测试,考察Bi、Mn掺入量对电池电化学影响。研究结果表明:当金属Mn和Bi共掺时,在1.2~4.5 V宽电压范围内,电池在循环50周后容量为90.39 mAh·g^-1。在2.0~4.0 V电压范围内1.0C (115 mA·g^-1)倍率下恒流充放电50周后的容量保持率为96.96%,循环850周后的保持率为80.15%,具有良好的循环稳定性和安全性。     

长循环高电压钠离子电池正极材料P2-Na2/3Mn1/3Bi1/3Ni1/3O2的合成及性能

镍基层状氧化物NaNiO₂钠离子电池材料具有高电压和高容量的特性,且制备方法较为简单,但姜-泰勒(Jahn-Teller)效应使其在高倍率循环下容量较低以及在高电压(4.5 V)下无法稳定循环。通过调节溶胶-凝胶工艺的条件,设计、合成了Na_2/3Mn_1/3Bi_1/3Ni_1/3O₂片层状金属氧化物,并将其作为正极活性材料,在空气环境中组装成钠离子电池,进行电化学测试,考察Bi、Mn掺入量对电池电化学影响。研究结果表明：当金属Mn和Bi共掺时,在1.2~4.5 V宽电压范围内,电池在循环50周后容量为90.39 mAh·g^-1。在2.0~4.0 V电压范围内1.0C (115 mA·g^-1)倍率下恒流充放电50周后的容量保持率为96.96%,循环850周后的保持率为80.15%,具有良好的循环稳定性和安全性。     

长循环高电压钠离子电池正极材料P2-Na2/3Mn1/3Bi1/3Ni1/3O2的合成及性能

镍基层状氧化物NaNiO₂钠离子电池材料具有高电压和高容量的特性,且制备方法较为简单,但姜-泰勒(Jahn-Teller)效应使其在高倍率循环下容量较低以及在高电压(4.5 V)下无法稳定循环。通过调节溶胶-凝胶工艺的条件,设计、合成了Na_2/3Mn_1/3Bi_1/3Ni_1/3O₂片层状金属氧化物,并将其作为正极活性材料,在空气环境中组装成钠离子电池,进行电化学测试,考察Bi、Mn掺入量对电池电化学影响。研究结果表明：当金属Mn和Bi共掺时,在1.2~4.5 V宽电压范围内,电池在循环50周后容量为90.39 mAh·g^-1。在2.0~4.0 V电压范围内1.0C (115 mA·g^-1)倍率下恒流充放电50周后的容量保持率为96.96%,循环850周后的保持率为80.15%,具有良好的循环稳定性和安全性。     

Engineering Fast Ion Conduction and Selective Cation Channels for a High‐Rate and High‐Voltage Hybrid Aqueous Battery

The rechargeable aqueous metal‐ion battery (RAMB) has attracted considerable attention due to its safety, low costs, and environmental friendliness. Yet the poor‐performance electrode materials lead to a low feasibility of practical application. A hybrid aqueous battery (HAB) built from electrode materials with selective cation channels could increase the electrode applicability and thus enlarge the application of RAMB. Herein, we construct a high‐voltage K–Na HAB based on K₂FeFe(CN)₆ cathode and carbon‐coated NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NTP/C) anode. Due to the unique cation selectivity of both materials and ultrafast ion conduction of NTP/C, the hybrid battery delivers a high capacity of 160 mAh g^?1 at a 0.5 C rate. Considerable capacity retention of 94.3 % is also obtained after 1000 cycles at even 60 C rate. Meanwhile, high energy density of 69.6 Wh kg^?1 based on the total mass of active electrode materials is obtained, which is comparable and even superior to that of the lead acid, Ni/Cd, and Ni/MH batteries.     

球磨辅助高温固相法制备Li1.0Na0.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2正极材料及其性能

以乙酸盐(乙酸锂、乙酸钠、乙酸钴、乙酸镍、乙酸锰等)为原材料,采用球磨辅助高温固相法制备Li_1.0Na_0.2Ni_0.13Co_0.13Mn_0.54O₂正极材料。借助XRD、SEM等表征材料的结构和形貌,利用循环伏安、恒流充放电、交流阻抗等方法研究材料的电化学性能。结果表明,钠的掺杂导致颗粒表面光滑度降低,形成Na_0.77MnO_2.05新相。0.05C活化过程中,掺钠样品和未掺钠样品首次放电比容量分别为258.4 mAh·g^-1和215.8 mAh·g^-1,库伦效率分别为75.2%和72.8%;2C放电比容量分别为116.3 mAh·g^-1和106.2 mAh·g^-1。研究发现,掺钠可减小首次充放电过程的不可逆容量,提高容量保持率;改善倍率性能与容量恢复特性;降低SEI膜阻抗和电荷转移阻抗;掺钠后样品首次循环就可以基本完成Li₂MnO₃组分向稳定结构的转化,而未掺杂的样品需要两次循环才能逐步完成该过程;XPS结果表明,掺钠样品中Ni²⁺、Co³⁺、Mn⁴⁺所占比例明显提高,改善了样品的稳定性和电化学性能;循环200次后的XRD结果表明掺钠与未掺钠材料在脱嵌锂反应中的相变化过程基本一致,良好有序的层状结构遭到破坏是循环过程中容量衰减的主要原因。     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li1-xNaxMn2O4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na⁺离子掺杂的Li_1-xNa_xMn₂O₄(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na⁺取代Li⁺进入Li_1-xNa_x Mn₂O₄晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn₂O₄从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na⁺离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li_0.97Na_0.03Mn₂O₄仍有79.0 mAh·g^-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 mAh·g^-1。Na⁺离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn₂O₄的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

溶胶-凝胶法合成Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4及其作为水系锂离子电池正极材料的电化学性能

用溶胶凝胶法合成了Na+离子掺杂的Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)。X射线衍射图表明Na+取代Li+进入Li_(1-x)Na_xMn_2O_4晶格中,扫描电镜图看出产物是粒径为100~300 nm的颗粒。恒流充放电测试结果表明,Li_(0.97)Na_(0.03)Mn_2O_4在2C倍率下循环100圈后放电容量保持率比未掺杂的LiMn_2O_4从51.2%提升到84.1%。循环伏安测试表明Na+离子掺杂降低了材料极化且增大了锂离子扩散系数。10C倍率下Li0.97Na0.03Mn2O4仍有79.0 m Ah·g-1的放电容量,高于未掺杂样品的52.1 m Ah·g~(-1)。Na+离子掺杂可以稳定材料结构并提高锂离子扩散系数,从而提高LiMn_2O_4的电化学性能,是一种可行的改性方法。     

Ruthenium‐Oxide‐Coated Sodium Vanadium Fluorophosphate Nanowires as High‐Power Cathode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Sodium‐ion batteries are a very promising alternative to lithium‐ion batteries because of their reliance on an abundant supply of sodium salts, environmental benignity, and low cost. However, the low rate capability and poor long‐term stability still hinder their practical application. A cathode material, formed of RuO₂‐coated Na₃V₂O₂(PO₄)₂F nanowires, has a 50 nm diameter with the space group of I4/mmm. When used as a cathode material for Na‐ion batteries, a reversible capacity of 120 mAh g^?1 at 1 C and 95 mAh g^?1 at 20 C can be achieved after 1000 charge–discharge cycles. The ultrahigh rate capability and enhanced cycling stability are comparable with high performance lithium cathodes. Combining first principles computational investigation with experimental observations, the excellent performance can be attributed to the uniform and highly conductive RuO₂ coating and the preferred growth of the (002) plane in the Na₃V₂O₂(PO₄)₂F nanowires.