Understanding the Design of Cathode Materials for Na-Ion Batteries

Abstract

With the escalating demand for sustainable energy sources, the sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) appear as a pragmatic option to develop large energy storage grid applications in contrast to existing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to the availability of cheap sodium precursors. Nevertheless, the commercialization of SIBs has not been carried out so far due to the inefficacies of present electrode materials, particularly cathodes. Thus, from a future application perspective, this short review highlights the intrinsic challenges and corresponding strategies for the extensively researched layered transition metal oxides, polyanionic compounds, and Prussian blue analogues. In addition, the commercial feasibility of existing materials considering relevant parameters is also discussed. The insights provided in the current review may serve as an aid in designing efficient cathode materials for state-of-the-art SIBs.

Layered P2-NaxMn3/4Ni1/4O2 Cathode Materials For Sodium-Ion Batteries: Synthesis, Electrochemistry and Influence of Ambient Storage

“…O3-type sodium layered oxides typically undergo various phase transitions during electrochemical (de)sodiation (e.g., O3-O'3-P3-P'3) and exhibit slow insertion kinetics at a high degree of sodiation (Gupta et al, 2022). Additionally, these materials are often prone to poor stability in humid atmospheres (Wang et al, 2018;Sun, 2020).…”

Phase Stability and Kinetics of Topotactic Dual Ca2+–Na+ Ion Electrochemistry in NaSICON NaV2(PO4)3

“…To guide the design of Ca cathodes in this nascent technological field, much inspiration has been drawn from studies of Na-ion batteries due to the similarity in size between Na + and Ca 2+ ions (116 and 114 pm, respectively). Extensive Na-battery research has identified structures capable of accommodating large cations while simultaneously minimizing cathode strain during cycling, namely, layered materials with tunable basal spacing and/or open frameworks with large intercalant sites . Among potential candidates, Na super-ionic conductor (NaSICON) type materialssuch as Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (Na 3 VP) or Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F 3– y O y (NVPF)have been intensively investigated due to their promising cyclability, chemical tunability, and high discharge voltages. , These polyanionic frameworks boast remarkable structural stability as well as good ionic conductivity, and recent work has demonstrated their ability to reversibly host Ca 2+ ions with promising electrochemical performance. − …”

P2 ‐type Na x TmO 2 oxides as cathodes for non‐aqueous sodium‐ion batteries—Structural evolution and commercial prospects

“…Although a maximum of five transition metals containing P2‐type layered oxides have been reported, a recently discovered entropy and crystal‐facet modulated P2‐type Na 0.62 Mn 0.67 Ni 0.23 Cu 0.05 Mg 0.07 Ti 0.01 O 2 cathode has been able to deliver a long cycle life in half cell configurations (an 87% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 120 mA g −1 and about 75% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 1.2 A g −1 ) 159 . Highly efficient Al 2 O 3 coating on the Na 0.67 Ni 0.33 Mn 0.67 O 2 particles enables enough surface modulation to mitigate the poor cycle life of the pristine cathode 139,160 . Additionally, composites of P2/P3 and P3/O3‐type cathode by modifying the sodium concentration have provided sufficient support to enhance the cycle life of the cells 130,161 .…”

“…159 Highly efficient Al 2 O 3 coating on the Na 0.67 Ni 0.33 Mn 0.67 O 2 particles enables enough surface modulation to mitigate the poor cycle life of the pristine cathode. 139,160 Additionally, composites of P2/P3 and P3/O3-type cathode by modifying the sodium concentration have provided sufficient support to enhance the cycle life of the cells. 130,161 Commercially, the second-generation FARADION battery utilizes a quadra-metal O3/P2-mixed-phase Ni-Mn-Mg-Ti system as the cathode.…”