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.     

Electrochemical lithium and sodium insertion studies in 3D metal oxy-phosphate framework MoWO3(PO4)2 for battery applications

A new type of three-dimensional (3D) oxy-phosphate materials are explored for the application of Li and Na batteries. The molybdenum tungsten oxy phosphate, MoWO₃(PO₄)₂, was synthesized by solid-state method and evaluated for Li/Na insertion/de-insertion electrode material for the first time. The cell at charged state (vs. Li⁺/Li) showed a discharge capacity of 786 mAh g⁻¹ within the voltage window of 0.3 V with amorphization of crystalline MoWO₃(PO₄)₂ as observed from ex-situ powder XRD analysis. The structural integrity was revealed in this material, even with nearly more than 5 Li⁺ ions into the lattice, leading to the discharge capacity of 250 mAh g⁻¹. The reversible charge/discharge behavior with insertion/de-insertion of 2.4 Li⁺ ions in the voltage range of 1.65 − 3.5 V resulted in 110 and 95 mAh g⁻¹ at C/10 and C/5 rates, respectively. On the other hand, poor cycling performance was noticed for Na ion insertion and desertion, with a discharge capacity of 250 mAh/g within the voltage range of 0.3 − 3.5 V (vs. Na⁺/Na).

     

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.     

Layer-Structured Ti Doped O3-Na1-xCr1-xTixO2(x=0, 0.03, 0.05) with Excellent Electrochemical Performance as Cathode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries

Layer-structured O3 type cathode materials Na_1-xCr_1-xTi_xO₂(x=0, 0.03, 0.05) are fabricated by a thermo-polymerization method. The structures and morphologies are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. It has been found that the appropriate Ti doping effectively leads to the formation of uniform morphology. As a cathode, the x=0.03 sample delivers a quite high discharge capacity of 110 mAh/g at 32 C in the voltage range from 2.0 V to 3.6 V (vs. Na/Na⁺) and with a capacity retention of 96% after 100 cycles at 0.2 C. The Na//Na_0.97Cr_0.97Ti_0.03O₂ cell exhibits very high coulombic e ciency (above 96%). All these results suggest that Na_0.97Cr_0.97Ti_0.03O₂ is very promising for high-rate sodium ion batteries.     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell F-doped LiFePO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C composite for lithium-ion batteries

Core–shell LiFePO₄/C composite was synthesized via a sol–gel method and doped by fluorine to improve its electrochemical performance. Structural characterization shows that F⁻ ions were successfully introduced into the LiFePO₄ matrix. Transmission electron microscopy verifies that F-doped LiFePO₄/C composite was composed of nanosized particles with a ~3 nm thick carbon shell coating on the surface. As a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the F-doped LiFePO₄/C nanocomposite delivers a discharge capacity of 162 mAh/g at 0.1 C rate. Moreover, the material also shows good high-rate capability, with discharge capacities reaching 113 and 78 mAh/g at 10 and 40 C current rates, respectively. When cycled at 20 C, the cell retains 86% of its initial discharge capacity after 400 cycles, demonstrating excellent high-rate cycling performance.     

AlF3包覆对Li1.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133O2正极材料电化学性能的影响

通过共沉淀法制备锂离子电池富锂锰基正极材料Li1.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133O2,并对其进行AlF3包覆。实验结果表明,通过AlF3包覆,材料的电化学性能得到明显提高。在0.2C下,包覆前材料的首次放电比容量为253 mAh.g-1,首次充放电效率仅为88.8%。经过AlF3包覆,材料的首次放电比容量提高到294 mAh.g-1,首次充放电效率高达96.4%。同样,在1.0C下循环50次,未包覆材料的放电比容量由225 mAh.g-1降到185 mAh.g-1,容量保持率仅为82.2%。经过AlF3包覆,材料的放电比容量由230mAh.g-1仅降为222 mAh.g-1,容量保持率高达96.5%。     

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.     

固相燃烧法制备去顶角八面体LiZn0.08Al0.01Mn1.91O4正极材料及其电化学性能

通过固相燃烧法快速合成了包含{111}、{100}和{110}晶面的单晶去顶角八面体形貌LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄正极材料。结果表明,Zn-Al共掺促进了尖晶石型LiMn₂O₄材料的晶体发育和晶面择优生长,形成了单晶去顶角八面体形貌晶粒,有效抑制了Jahn-Teller效应,减缓了Mn溶解,增强了其晶体结构稳定性,显著提升了合成材料的电化学性能。LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄在5C和10C下的首次放电比容量分别为92.6和76.5 mAh·g^-1,经过2 000次循环后的容量保持率分别为70.4%和74.8%。即使在15C高倍率下,仍有64.2 mAh·g^-1的首次放电比容量,循环800次后容量保持率达到82.2%。与LiZn_0.08Mn_1.92O₄相比,LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄正极材料具有较大的Li+扩散系数(1.02×10^-11 cm²·s^-1)和较小的表观活化能(25.60 kJ·mol^-1),表明Zn-Al共掺和单晶形貌调控策略能够降低Li+在脱/嵌过程的能垒和增大Li+在电极材料中的扩散速率。     

固相燃烧法制备去顶角八面体LiZn0.08Al0.01Mn1.91O4正极材料及其电化学性能

通过固相燃烧法快速合成了包含{111}、{100}和{110}晶面的单晶去顶角八面体形貌LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄正极材料。结果表明,Zn-Al共掺促进了尖晶石型LiMn₂O₄材料的晶体发育和晶面择优生长,形成了单晶去顶角八面体形貌晶粒,有效抑制了Jahn-Teller效应,减缓了Mn溶解,增强了其晶体结构稳定性,显著提升了合成材料的电化学性能。LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄在5C和10C下的首次放电比容量分别为92.6和76.5 mAh·g^-1,经过2 000次循环后的容量保持率分别为70.4%和74.8%。即使在15C高倍率下,仍有64.2 mAh·g^-1的首次放电比容量,循环800次后容量保持率达到82.2%。与LiZn_0.08Mn_1.92O₄相比,LiZn_0.08Al_0.01Mn_1.91O₄正极材料具有较大的Li+扩散系数(1.02×10^-11 cm²·s^-1)和较小的表观活化能(25.60 kJ·mol^-1),表明Zn-Al共掺和单晶形貌调控策略能够降低Li+在脱/嵌过程的能垒和增大Li+在电极材料中的扩散速率。     

Preparation and characterization of high-rate and long-cycle LiFePO4/C nanocomposite as cathode material for lithium-ion battery

Olivine LiFePO₄/C nanocomposite cathode materials with small-sized particles and a unique electrochemical performance were successfully prepared by a simple solid-state reaction using oxalic acid and citric acid as the chelating reagent and carbon source. The structure and electrochemical properties of the samples were investigated. The results show that LiFePO₄/C nanocomposite with oxalic acid (oxalic acid: Fe²⁺= 0.75:1) and a small quantity of citric acid are single phase and deliver initial discharge capacity of 122.1 mAh/g at 1 C with little capacity loss up to 500 cycles at room temperature. The rate capability and cyclability are also outstanding at elevated temperature. When charged/discharged at 60 °C, this materials present excellent initial discharge capacity of 148.8 mAh/g at 1 C, 128.6 mAh/g at 5 C, and 115.0 mAh/g at 10 C, respectively. The extraordinarily high performance of LiFePO₄/C cathode materials can be exploited suitably for practical lithium-ion batteries.     

Porous nanostructured V2O5 film electrode with excellent Li-ion intercalation properties

Porous nanostructured V₂O₅ films were prepared by electrodeposition from V₂O₅ sol with the addition of block copolymer Pluoronic P123, and they can be readily applied as Li-ion battery cathode without adding any polymer binder or conductive additives. SEM images showed an ideal morphology for Li⁺ intercalation favored charge transfer kinetics, which is a combination of homogeneously distributed nano-pores and V₂O₅ nanoparticles. Electrochemical measurements revealed that, the porous nanostructured V₂O₅ films have a high discharge capacity of 160 mAh/g at 9 A/g, and maintain 240 mAh/g after 40 cycles at 300 mA/g. The excellent Li⁺ intercalation property could be ascribed to the high surface area, sufficient contact between electrode materials and electrolyte, short Li⁺ diffusion path, as well as the good accommodation for volume change which are benefited from homogeneously distributed nano-pores and V₂O₅ nanoparticles.     

Pre-activation and Defects Introduced via Citric Acid to Mitigate Capacity and Voltage Fading in Li-rich Cathode

The application of Li-rich and Mn-based layered cathode materials is impeded by the discharge voltage decay and capacity fading upon cycling, despite their high specific capacity. Here, we combine pre-activation and nanoscale defects modification of lithium rich and manganese based layered materials to mitigate the above two serious problems through improved anionic redox activity and Li⁺ conductivity. The optimum constructed nanoscale defects rich cathode material delivers a reduced voltage fading rate of 1.27 mV per cycle compared to 3.7 mV per cycle for the pristine material after 200 cycles at 1 C rate. Moreover, the nanoscale defects rich material delivers a high specific discharge capacity of 173.1 mAh · g^–1 with a high capacity retention of 99.5 % after 200 cycles at 1 C rate superior than the pristine material (89.3 mAh · g^–1 and 53.4 %, respectively). This study highlights the reversibility of oxygen redox in electrochemical stability and effectiveness of nanoscale defects in stabilize voltage.     

Regulating Cation Interactions for Zero-Strain and High-Voltage P2-type Na2/3Li1/6Co1/6Mn2/3O2 Layered Oxide Cathodes of Sodium-Ion Batteries

Deep sodium extraction/insertion of sodium cathodes usually causes undesired Jahn–Teller distortion and phase transition, both of which will reduce structural stability and lead to poor long-cycle reliability. Here we report a zero-strain P2- Na_2/3Li_1/6Co_1/6Mn_2/3O₂ cathode, in which the lithium/cobalt substitution contributes to reinforcing the host structure by reducing the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox, mitigating the Jahn–Teller distortion, and minimizing the lattice change. 94.5 % of Na⁺ in the unit structure can be reversibly cycled with a charge cut-off voltage of 4.5 V (vs. Na⁺/Na). Impressively, a solid-solution reaction without phase transitions is realized upon deep sodium (de)intercalation, which poses a minimal volume deviation of 0.53 %. It attains a high discharge capacity of 178 mAh g⁻¹, a high energy density of 534 Wh kg⁻¹, and excellent capacity retention of 95.8 % at 1 C after 250 cycles.     

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。     

Synthesis and electrode performance of carbon coated Na2FePO4F for rechargeable Na batteries

Carbon-coated Na₂FePO₄F is synthesized by a simple solid-state method with ascorbic acid as carbon source. Structural characterization of Na₂FePO₄F by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy reveals that ascorbic acid effectively suppresses the particle growth of Na₂FePO₄F, forming the nano-sized carbon coated materials. Electrode performance of Na₂FePO₄F for rechargeable sodium batteries is also examined. The carbon-coated Na₂FePO₄F sample (1.3 wt% carbon) delivers initial discharge capacity of 110 mAh g^-1 at a rate of 1/20 C (6.2 mA g^-1) with well-defined voltage plateaus at 3.06 and 2.91 V vs. Na metal. The sample also shows acceptable capacity retention and rate capability as the positive electrode materials for rechargeable Na batteries, which is operable at room temperature.     

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。     

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。     

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of V2O3-C Dual-Layer Coated LiFePO4 by Carbothermic Reduction of V2O5

The V₂O₃-C dual-layer coated LiFePO₄ cathode materials with excellent rate capability and cycling stability were prepared by carbothermic reduction of V₂O₅. X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyzer, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectra revealed that the V₂O₃ phase co-existed with carbon in the coating layer of LiFePO₄ particles and the carbon content reduced without graphitization degree changing after the carbothermic reduction of V₂O₅. The electrochemical measurement results indicated that small amounts of V₂O₃ improved rate capability and cycling stability at elevated temperature of LiFePO₄/C cathode materials. The V₂O₃-C dual-layer coated LiFePO₄ composite with 1wt% vanadium oxide delivered an initial specific capacity of 167 mAh/g at 0.2 C and 129 mAh/g at 5 C as well as excellent cycling stability. Even at elevated temperature of 55 oC, the specific capacity of 151 mAh/g was achieved at 1 C without capacity fading after 100 cycles.