The fundamental challenges that coexisted around sulfur cathode energy storage systems, are the severe polysulfide dissolution and low reactivity resulting in poor reversibility and short cycle life, specifically, in inexpensive sodium ion batteries. Herein, the solution‐processed synthesis of ultra‐high intimate contacted FeS2/S architecture is reported and evolution of the dynamic multistage coupling between the FeS2 and S in sodium–sulfur batteries is revealed. Atomic visualization and in situ spectroscopy conclude that: NaxFeS2 (0
Phosphorus exhibits high capacity and low redox potential, making it a promising anode material for future sodium‐ion batteries. However, its practical applications are confined by poor durability and sluggish kinetics. Herein, an innovative in‐situ electrochemically self‐driven strategy is presented to embed phosphorus nanocrystal (≈10 nm) into a Fe‐N‐C‐rich 3D carbon framework (P/Fe‐N‐C). This strategy enables rapid and high‐capacity sodium ion storage. Through a combination of experimental assistance and theoretical calculations, a novel synergistic catalytic mechanism of Fe‐N‐C is reasonably proposed. In detail, the electrochemical formation of Fe‐N‐C catalytic sites facilitates the release of fluorine in ester‐based electrolyte, inducing Na+‐conducting‐enhanced solid‐electrolyte interphase. Furthermore, it also effectively induces the dissociation energy of the P‐P bond and promotes the reaction kinetics of P anode. As a result, the unconventional P/Fe‐N‐C anode demonstrates outstanding rate‐capability (267 mAh g−1 at 100 A g−1) and cycling stability (72%, 10 000 cycles). Notably, the assembled pouch cell achieves high‐energy density of 220 Wh kg−1.
Layered transition-metal oxide materials are ideal cathode candidates for sodium-ion batteries due to high specific energy, yet suffer severe interfacial instability and capacity fading owing to strongly nucleophilic surface. In this work, the interfacial stability of layered NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode was effectively enhanced by electrolyte optimization. And the interfacial chemistry between the cathode and four widely used electrolytes (EC/DMC, EC/EMC, EC/DEC and EC/PC) was elucidated through experiments and theoretical calculations. The Na+ solvation structures at cathode-electrolyte interface in all four electrolytes exhibited enhanced coordination due to high electron density and strong nucleophilicity of oxide surface, which promoted the electrolytes’ decomposition with decreased oxidation stability. Among them, the EC/DMC electrolyte showed the tightest solvation structure due to smaller molecular chains and stable electrochemistry, which derived an even and robust cathode electrolyte interphase. It effectively protected the cathode and facilitated the reversible Na+ transport during long cycles, enabling the batteries with a high capacity retention of 83.3% after 300 cycles. This work provides new insights into the role of electrode surface characteristics in interface chemistry that can guide the design of advanced electrode and electrolyte materials for rechargeable batteries.
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