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.     

A robust carbon coating of Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode material for high performance sodium-ion batteries

Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ is a very prospective sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) electrode material owing to its NASICON structure and high reversible capacity. Conversely, on account of its intrinsic poor electronic conductivity, Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ electrode materials confront with some significant limitations like poor cycle and rate performance which inhibit their practical applications in the energy fields. Herein, a simple two-step method has been implemented for the successful preparation of carbon-coated Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ materials. As synthesized sample shows a remarkable electrochemical performance of 124.1 mAh/g at 0.1 C (1 C = 117.6 mA/g), retaining 78.5 mAh/g under a high rate of 200 C and a long cycle-performance (retaining 80.7 mAh/g even after 10000 cycles at 20 C), outperforming the most advanced cathode materials as reported in literatures.     

Assembly of Na3V2(PO4)3 Nanoparticles Confined in a One‐Dimensional Carbon Sheath for Enhanced Sodium‐Ion Cathode Properties

Structural and morphological control is an effective approach for improvement of electrochemical properties in rechargeable batteries. One‐dimensionally assembled structure composed of NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanoparticles were fabricated through an electrospinning method to meet the requirements for the development of efficient electrode materials in Na‐ion batteries. High‐temperature treatment of electrospun precursor fibers under an argon flow provides a nonwoven fabric of nanowires comprising crystallographically oriented nanoparticles of NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ within a carbon sheath. The mesostructure comprising NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ and carbon give a short sodium‐ion transport pass and an efficient electron conduction pass. Electrochemical properties of NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ are improved on the basis of one‐dimensional nanostructures designed in the present study.     

水热-溶胶-凝胶法合成多壁碳纳米管-Na3V2（PO4）3复合物及其作为锂离子电池正极材料的性能

采用水热和溶胶-凝胶相结合的方法,制备了具有良好电化学性能的新型多壁碳纳米管-Na₃V₂（PO₄）₃（MWCNT-NVP）复合材料（MWCNT的质量分数为8.74%）. 通过场发射扫描电子显微镜表征可知,MWCNT分散在NVP纳米颗粒之间,并起到“电子导电线”的作用. 与纯Na₃V₂（PO₄）₃相比,MWCNT-NVP具有更高的比容量和更优异的循环性能. 在0.2C（35.2 mA·g^-1）的电流密度下,3.0-4.5 V的电压范围内,MWCNT-NVP的初始比容量为82.2 mAh·g^-1. 循环100次以后,比容量为72.3 mAh·g^-1. 在1.0-3.0 V充放电时,MWCNT-NVP的初始容量为100.6 mAh·g^-1. 100次循环以后,其容量保持率高达90%. 同时,交流阻抗测试表明,由于MWCNT的存在,MWCNT-NVP的导电性有了显著的提高. 以上结果表明,MWCNT-NVP是一种良好的锂离子电池电极材料.     

Effect of Al2O3 -coating on the electrochemical performances of Li3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material

The effect of Al₂O₃ -coating on Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material for lithium-ion batteries has been investigated. The crystalline structure and morphology of the synthesized powders have been characterized by XRD, SEM, and HRTEM, and their electrochemical performances are evaluated by CV, EIS, and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. It is found that Al₂O₃ -coating modification stabilizes the structure of the cathode material, decreases the polarization of electrode and suppresses the rise of the surface film resistance. Electrochemical tests indicate that cycling performance and rate capability of Al₂O₃-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C are enhanced, especially at high rates. The Al₂O₃-coated material delivers discharge capacity of 123.03 mAh g^?1 at 4 C rate, and the capacity retention of 94.15 % is obtained after 5 cycles. The results indicate that Al₂O₃ -coating should be an effective way to improve the comprehensive properties of the cathode materials for lithium-ion 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.     

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.     

Electrospun Li3V2(PO4)3 Nanobelts: Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties as Cathode Materials of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Novel Li₃V₂ (PO₄)₃ nanobelts, which was confirmed by the peaks of X‐ray diffraction, were prepared by a facile and environmentally friendly electrospinning method. A distinct nanobelt structure, with an average width of 2.5 µm and a thickness of 200 nm, is observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the specific surface area of 140.8 m²/g is estimated by a specific surface area analyzer. Moreover, the unique Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts exhibited a specific discharge capacity of 155.6 mAh/g at 0.2 C rate when they were used as cathode material in lithium‐ion batteries, on testing from 3.0 to 4.8 V. Remarkably, the batteries containing Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts displayed excellent cycling performance, with only a 0.02% fading rate per cycle after 50 cycles in the range 30–4.3 V. These outstanding electrochemical performances could be ascribed to the particular morphology, large surface area, homogeneous particle size distribution, and the one‐dimensional microstructure of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanobelts.     

Development and Investigation of a NASICON-Type High-Voltage Cathode Material for High-Power Sodium-Ion Batteries

Herein, we introduce a 4.0 V class high-voltage cathode material with a newly recognized sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type structure with cubic symmetry (space group P2₁3), Na₃V(PO₃)₃N. We synthesize an N-doped graphene oxide-wrapped Na₃V(PO₃)₃N composite with a uniform carbon coating layer, which shows excellent rate performance and outstanding cycling stability. Its air/water stability and all-climate performance were carefully investigated. A near-zero volume change (ca. 0.40 %) was observed for the first time based on in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and the in situ X-ray absorption spectra revealed the V^3.2+/V^4.2+ redox reaction with high reversibility. Its 3D sodium diffusion pathways were demonstrated with distinctive low energy barriers. Our results indicate that this high-voltage NASICON-type Na₃V(PO₃)₃N composite is a competitive cathode material for sodium-ion batteries and will receive more attention and studies in the future.     

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.     

Li3V2(PO4)3/C和Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C的结构和电化学性能的比较研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法合成了锂离子正极材料Li3V2(PO4)3/C(LVP/C)及Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C,并用XRD、循环伏安及交流阻抗等方法,研究了大量Na+掺杂对材料结构和电化学性能影响。结果表明,大量钠离子的掺杂会使LVP结构由单斜向菱方转变。掺杂化合物Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C在0.5 C充电1 C放电时,首次放电容量为118 mAh.g-1,50次循环后容量保持率为92.4%,并发现与单斜LVP存在多个放电平台不同,Li2.5Na0.5V2(PO4)3/C仅在3.7 V处有一个放电平台。     

Development and Investigation of a NASICON‐Type High‐Voltage Cathode Material for High‐Power Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Herein, we introduce a 4.0 V class high‐voltage cathode material with a newly recognized sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)‐type structure with cubic symmetry (space group P2₁3), Na₃V(PO₃)₃N. We synthesize an N‐doped graphene oxide‐wrapped Na₃V(PO₃)₃N composite with a uniform carbon coating layer, which shows excellent rate performance and outstanding cycling stability. Its air/water stability and all‐climate performance were carefully investigated. A near‐zero volume change (ca. 0.40 %) was observed for the first time based on in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, and the in situ X‐ray absorption spectra revealed the V^3.2+/V^4.2+ redox reaction with high reversibility. Its 3D sodium diffusion pathways were demonstrated with distinctive low energy barriers. Our results indicate that this high‐voltage NASICON‐type Na₃V(PO₃)₃N composite is a competitive cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries and will receive more attention and studies in the future.     

Single-Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte for Superior Sodium-Metal Batteries

Sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) are considered a potential alternative to high-energy lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). However, the high reactivity of metallic sodium towards common liquid organic electrolytes renders such battery technology particularly challenging. Herein, we propose a multi-block single-ion conducting polymer electrolyte (SIPE) doped with ethylene carbonate as suitable electrolyte system for SMBs. This novel SIPE provides a very high ionic conductivity (2.6 mS cm⁻¹) and an electrochemical stability window of about 4.1 V at 40 °C, enabling stable sodium stripping and plating and excellent rate capability of Na||Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cells up to 2 C. Remarkably, such cells provide a capacity retention of about 85 % after 1,000 cycles at 0.2 C thanks to the very high Coulombic efficiency (99.9 %), resulting from an excellent interfacial stability towards sodium metal and the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode.     

A sodium vanadium three-fluorophosphate cathode for rechargeable batteries synthesized by carbothermal reduction

Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃, which could be used as cathode in Na-ion or Li-ion rechargeable batteries, was synthesized by carbothermal reduction (CTR) method at 700 °C with coralline structure by SEM analysis. The Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ cathode in Li-ion battery displayed an appreciable capacity of 188 mAh/g with a discharge plateau at 3.7 V under close-to-equilibrium galvanostatic conditions illuminating the feasible extraction of three Na ions per unit, and 130 mAh/g with retention of 96.8% after 37 cycles at 0.1 C. The NASICON-type structure could produce a large diffusion coefficient due to the three-dimensional framework, but cause a low conductivity and OCV around 3 V. The cathode could reach 188 mAh/g at 0.1 C, with a more 20 mAh/g at 3.7 V after washing by distilled water.     

Temperature-Dependent Electrochemical Properties and Electrode Kinetics of Na3V2(PO4)2O2F Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries with High Energy Density

Phosphate cathode materials are practical for use in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to their high stability and long-term cycle life. In this work, the temperature-dependent properties of the phosphate cathode Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F (NVPOF) are studied in a wide temperature range from −25 to 55 °C. Upon cycling at general temperature (above 0 °C), the NVPOF cathode retains an excellent charge/discharge performance, and the rate capability is noteworthy, indicating that NVPOF is a competitive candidate as a temperature-adaptive cathode for SIBs. Upon decreasing the temperature below 0 °C, the cell performance deteriorates, which may be caused by the electrolyte and Na electrode, based on the study of ionic conductivity and electrode kinetics. This work proposes a new breakthrough point for the development of SIBs with high performance over a wide temperature range for advanced power systems.     

A Long‐Cycling Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Pouch Cell: NASICON‐Type Material and Surface Modification

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have become the highest potential energy storage system for large‐scale applications owing to the high specific capacity, good safety and low cost. In this work, a NASICON‐type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode modified by a uniform carbon layer (NVP/C) has been synthesized via a facile solid‐state method and exhibited significantly improved electrochemical performance when working in an aqueous ZIB. Specifically, the NVP/C cathode shows an excellent rate capacity (e. g., 48 mAh g^?1 at 1.0 A g^?1). Good cycle stability is also achieved (e. g., showing a capacity retention of 88% after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g^?1). Furthermore, the Zn²⁺ (de)intercalation mechanism in the NVP cathode has been determined by various ex‐situ techniques. In addition, a Zn||NVP/C pouch cell has been assembled, delivering a high capacity of 89 mAhg^?1 at 0.2 A g^?1 and exhibiting a superior long cycling stability.     

A Cation and Anion Dual Doping Strategy for the Elevation of Titanium Redox Potential for High-Power Sodium-Ion Batteries

Titanium-based polyanions have been intensively investigated for sodium-ion batteries owing to their superior structural stability and thermal safety. However, their low working potential hindered further applications. Now, a cation and anion dual doping strategy is used to boost the redox potential of Ti-based cathodes of Na₃Ti_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N as a new cathode material for sodium ion batteries. Both the Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ and V³⁺/V⁴⁺ redox couples are reversibly accessed, leading to two distinctive voltage platforms at ca. 3.3 V and ca. 3.8 V, respectively. The remarkably improved cycling stability (86.3 %, 3000 cycles) can be ascribed to the near-zero volume strain in this unusual cubic symmetry, which has been demonstrated by in situ synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction. First-principles calculations reveal its well-interconnected 3D Na diffusion pathways with low energy barriers, and the two-sodium-extracted intermediate NaTi_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N is also a stable phase according to formation energy calculations.     

A Plastic–Crystal Electrolyte Interphase for All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

The development of all‐solid‐state rechargeable batteries is plagued by a large interfacial resistance between a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte that increases with each charge–discharge cycle. The introduction of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and solid cathode particles reduces the interfacial resistance, increases the cycle life, and allows a high rate performance. Comparison of solid‐state sodium cells with 1) solid electrolyte Na₃Zr₂(Si₂PO₄) particles versus 2) plastic–crystal electrolyte in the cathode composites shows that the former suffers from a huge irreversible capacity loss on cycling whereas the latter exhibits a dramatically improved electrochemical performance with retention of capacity for over 100 cycles and cycling at 5 C rate. The application of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and a solid cathode may be extended to other all‐solid‐state battery cells.     

A Cation and Anion Dual Doping Strategy for the Elevation of Titanium Redox Potential for High‐Power Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Titanium‐based polyanions have been intensively investigated for sodium‐ion batteries owing to their superior structural stability and thermal safety. However, their low working potential hindered further applications. Now, a cation and anion dual doping strategy is used to boost the redox potential of Ti‐based cathodes of Na₃Ti_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N as a new cathode material for sodium ion batteries. Both the Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ and V³⁺/V⁴⁺ redox couples are reversibly accessed, leading to two distinctive voltage platforms at ca. 3.3 V and ca. 3.8 V, respectively. The remarkably improved cycling stability (86.3 %, 3000 cycles) can be ascribed to the near‐zero volume strain in this unusual cubic symmetry, which has been demonstrated by in situ synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction. First‐principles calculations reveal its well‐interconnected 3D Na diffusion pathways with low energy barriers, and the two‐sodium‐extracted intermediate NaTi_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N is also a stable phase according to formation energy calculations.     

Research progress on Na3V2(PO4)2F3-based cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have received significant attention in large-scale energy storage due to their low cost and abundant resources. To obtain high-performance SIBs, many intensive studies about electrode materials have been carried out, especially the cathode material. As various types of cathode material for SIBs, a 3D open framework structural Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ (NVPF) with Na superionic conductor (NASICON) structure is a promising cathode material owing to its high operating potential and high energy density. However, its electrochemical properties are severely limited by the poor electronic conductivity due to the insulated [PO₄] tetrahedral unit. In this review, the challenges and strategies for NVPF are presented, and the synthetic strategy for NVPF is also analyzed in detail. Furthermore, recent developments of modification research to enhance their electrochemical performance are discussed, including designing the crystal structure, adjusting the electrode structure, and optimizing the electrolyte components. Finally, further research and application for future development of NVPF are prospected.