Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Sulfide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Sodium Batteries

Abstract

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes are one of the potential candidates for all-solid-state batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and low synthesis temperature compared to their oxide counterparts. However, the preparation methods involve the requirement of an inert atmosphere for ball milling, heating, and quenching facilities that severely limit their implementation, which necessitates a resurgence of interest in alternate synthesis approaches. Herein, a simple, accelerated, and energy-efficient method for the synthesis of highly crystalline cubic sodium thiophosphate solid electrolyte (Na 3 PS 4 ) is developed using the microwaveassisted irradiation technique. Along with impedance studies, 23 Na solid-state NMR spin-lattice relaxation experiments are performed to obtain insights into Na-ion mobility in Na 3 PS 4 solid electrolytes. The electrochemical properties and the interfacial stability of the electrolyte with the metallic sodium anode are thoroughly investigated and presented in this work. Further, a prototype full-cell constructed using a Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 cathode, a Na 3 PS 4 solid electrolyte, and a modified sodium anode showed promising electrochemical properties. Although numerous studies focus on solid electrolyte interface modification and design, the simple and energy-efficient approach for sodium-ion solid electrolyte synthesis presented here will provide a meaningful advance to the accelerated synthesis of sulfide electrolyte-based all-solid-state batteries.

Strategies to develop stable alkali metal anodes for rechargeable batteries

“…The scarcity of the Li reserves in the earth's crust and the associated price hike of Li metal at this time of high energy demand have led us to look into alternate battery chemistries for energy storage [38,39]. Na and K, due to their abundance and low cost, are considered promising candidates for futuristic anodes for aqueous and solid-state batteries [24,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. As Na and K do not alloy with the aluminium, replacing the copper current collector would further lead to reduced cost and improved gravimetric energy densities in these systems [47][48][49][50][51][52].…”

Empowering Energy Storage Technology: Recent Breakthroughs and Advancement in Sodium-Ion Batteries

“…Aswathy et al introduced a sulfide solid electrolyte (sodium thiophosphate solid electrolyte (Na 3 PS 4 ) which exhibits high ionic conductivity. 70 Chen et al introduced a polymer electrolyte based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). 71 Also, Cheng et al introduced a polymer hybrid solid electrolyte (HSE) based on a poly(vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) polymer for a stable and improved ionic conductivity.…”

“…The solvent-free electrolytes have emerged as a potential alternative to avoid unusual dendrite growth with enhanced safety. Aswathy et al introduced a sulfide solid electrolyte (sodium thiophosphate solid electrolyte (Na 3 PS 4 ) which exhibits high ionic conductivity . Chen et al introduced a polymer electrolyte based on poly­(ethylene oxide) (PEO) .…”

Recent progress and strategic perspectives of inorganic solid electrolytes: fundamentals, modifications, and applications in sodium metal batteries

“…19. The typical approaches include doping elements (Cl À and Ca 2+ ) to stabilize the interface, 541,544,576 designing composite electrolytes, 577,584,585 surface coating or interlayer insertion, 566,578,579,586 and hydrationinduced surface passivation. 306 For example, by homogeneously coating the PEO layer on the surface of Na 3 PS 4 , its immediate contact metallic Na anode was artificially avoided, thus alleviating the unpleasant interfacial reactions between them.…”