Yeast Template-Derived Multielectron Reaction NASICON Structure Na₃MnTi(PO₄)₃ for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The sodium super ion conductor (NASICON) structure materials are essential for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their robust crystal structure, excellent ionic conductivity, and flexibility to regulate element and valence. However, the poor electronic conductivity and inferior energy density caused by the nature of these materials have always been obstacles to commercialization. Herein, using yeast as a template to derive NASICON structure Na 3 MnTi(PO 4 ) 3 (NMTP) materials (noted as Yeast@NMTP/C) is presented. The Yeast@NMTP/C material retains the microsphere morphology of the yeast template and not only controls the particle size (around 2 μm) to shorten the Na + diffusion pathways but also improves the electronic conductivity to optimize the electrochemical kinetics. The Yeast@NMTP/C cathode delivers reversible multielectron redox reactions including Ti 4+/3+ , Mn 3+/2+ , and Mn 4+/3+ and exhibits a high capacity of 108.5 mAh g −1 with a 79.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at a 2C rate. The sodium storage mechanism of Yeast@NMTP/C reveals that the addition of Ti 4+/3+ redox plays a key role in improving the Na + diffusion kinetics, and both solid-solution and twophase reactions take place during the desodiation and sodiation process. Additionally, the high-rate and long-span cycle performance of Yeast@NMTP/C at 10C is ascribed to contribute to pseudocapacitance.

Mn‐Rich Phosphate Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries: Anion‐Regulated Solid Solution Behavior and Long‐Term Cycle Life

“…These results above were accordant to previous reports for Na 3 MnTi(PO 4 ) 3 . [ 22 ] The XPS analysis was implemented to detect the surface elemental composition and valence states of two samples. In the high‐resolution Mn 2p spectrum (Figure S3a, Supporting Information), the sharp peaks centered at 653.9 and 642 eV represent the electrons of Mn 2p 1/2 and Mn 2p 3/2 , which are characteristic of Mn 2+ species for M 1.2 T 0.8 material.…”

Long‐Cycle‐Life Cathode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries toward Large‐Scale Energy Storage Systems

“…Optimizing the morphology and architecture is also critical for improving the electrochemical properties of LTMOs. [126,127] Furthermore, nanostructures have been widely utilized to enhance electrochemical performance through enhanced redox reactions, reduced ionic transport channels, and relief of lattice strain. [128] For example, Liu et al reported the preparation of hollow P2-Na 2/3 Ni 1/3 Mn 2/3 O 2 nanofibers constructed from nanoparticles via electrospinning.…”

Nanodesigns for Na3V2(PO4)3-based cathode in sodium-ion batteries: a topical review

“…Also, yeast cells contain a large number of polar groups, such as hydroxyl and carboxyl, which have a strong ability to adsorb ions and enter the cell by ion concentration diffusion and active transport. During the sol-gel process, the raw materials were immobilized on the surface and inside of yeast cells, and finally, nanoscale NVP crystals were obtained during the sintering process [62,79,80]. Zhu et al successfully synthesized NVP nanoparticles (NVP@C) using yeast cells, and the synthesis process is shown in figure 3(a) [62].…”