Sodium-ion batteries are promising futuristic large-scale energy-storage devices because of the abundance and low cost of sodium. However, the development and commercialization of the sodium-ion battery solely depends on the use of high-capacity electrode materials. Among the various metal oxides, SnO 2 has a high theoretical specific capacity for sodium-ion battery. However, the enormous volume expansion and low electrical conductivity of SnO 2 hinder its capability to reach the predicted theoretical value. Although different nanostructured designs of electrode materials like SnO 2 nanocomposites have been studied, the effects of other cell components like electrolyte and binder on the specific capacity and cyclic stability are yet to be understood. In the present study, we have investigated the synergistic effect of electrolyte and binder on the performance enhancement of SnO 2 supported on the intertwined network structure of reduced graphene oxide partially open multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrid as anode in sodium-ion battery. Our result shows that sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose and ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate as the electrolyte solvent offers a high specific capacity of 688 mAh g –1 and a satisfactory cyclic stability for 500 cycles. This is about 56% enhancement in specific capacity compared to the use of poly(vinylidene fluoride) binder and propylene carbonate as the electrolyte solvent. The present study provides a better understanding of the synergistic role of electrolyte and binder for the development of metal-oxide-based electrode materials for the advancement of the commercialization of sodium-ion battery.

e conductivity of an electrolyte plays a significant role in deciding the performance of any battery over a wide temperature range from − 40°C to 60°C. In this work, the conductivity of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) at a varied salt concentration range from 0.2 M to 2.0 M in a multisolvent organic electrolyte system over a wide temperature range from − 40°C to 60°C is reported. e mixed solvents used were 1,3-dioxolane (DOL), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME), and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) with an equal ratio of DOL : DME : TEGDME (1 : 1 : 1 by volume). e experimental analysis performed over a wide temperature range revealed the maximum conductivity at salt concentrations ranging from 1.0 M to 1.4 M for equal molar solvents. e optimum salt concentration and maximum conductivity in a different solvent composition ratio (i.e., 3 : 2 : 1) for all the temperatures is reported herein. e temperature-dependence conductivity of the salt concentration did not fit the Arrhenius plot, but it resembled the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher plot behavior. e present conductivity study was carried out to evaluate the overall operable temperature limit of the electrolyte used in the lithium-sulfur battery.

This study aims to resolve the performance issues of Li-S batteries using KimWipes in three cell configurations cathode-side, anode-side, and both-sides. A no-KimWipe cell configuration is considered as a control. Substantial suppression of lithium polysulfide shuttling in the cathode-side configuration is observed owing to polar-polar interaction between higher-order dissolved polysulfides (Li2S8 to Li2S4) and abundant polar functional groups in the fibrous cellulose network of the KimWipes. On the anode side, KimWipes serve the dual roles of facilitating the homogeneous redistribution of Li ions during plating and stripping while minimizing the anchoring of polysulfide species migrating from the cathode. An electrochemical performance test is performed out at a C-rate of 0.1C, and the discharge-specific capacities at the first cycle for the cathode-side, anode-side, both-sides, and no-KimWipe cell configurations were 1,464.36, 1,286.95, 1,033.96, and 927.22 mAh g −1 S, respectively. Experimental testing is performed for upto 250 cycles for type II and III cells, which show good specific discharge, capacities as well as stable reversibility and coulombic efficiency. The cathode-side KimWipe cell configuration maintained stable reversibility with a higher coulombic efficiency. Results of this study will contribute towards realizing high-performance Li-S batteries for commercial applications.

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