Durian-Inspired Design of Bismuth–Antimony Alloy Arrays for Robust Sodium Storage

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries have attracted widespread attention for cost-effective and large-scale electric energy storage. However, their practical deployment has been largely retarded by the lack of choice of efficient anode materials featuring large capacity and electrochemical stability and robustness. Herein, we report a durian-inspired design and template-free fabrication of a robust sodium anode based on triangular pyramid arrays of Bi0.75Sb0.25 alloy electrodeposited on Cu substrates. The Bi0.75Sb0.25 arrays exhibit an appreciable electrochemical robustness for sodium storage, sustaining a reversible capability 335 mAh g–1 at a high rate of 2.5 A g–1 and 87% of the initial capacity over 2000 cycles. We further demonstrate the applicability of the Bi0.75Sb0.25 array anode in sodium full cells by pairing it with a Na3V2(PO4)3/C cathode. This full cell achieves a high specific energy of 203 Wh kg–1 (based on both active electrodes). Such an enhanced performance is attributed to the thorny-durian-like architecture and bimetallic alloy composition. The pyramid tip induces ion enrichment for rapid charge-transfer reaction, while the alloy design reduces the electrode volume swelling for stable Na cycling.

Bismuth‐based Nanomaterials for Aqueous Alkaline Batteries: Recent Progress and Perspectives

“…Several kinds of alternative battery technologies such as sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have also been developed owing to their relatively abundant resources and low cost. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] However, they still suffer from nonnegligible safety issues caused by organic electrolyte. [24,[32][33][34] In view of the above, alternative energy storage systems with good electrochemical performance, high safety as well as low cost should be explored.…”

Efficient Stress Dissipation in Well‐Aligned Pyramidal SbSn Alloy Nanoarrays for Robust Sodium Storage

“…As a result, both metals exhibited different valence states in the XPS, and the presence of the respective oxides in the sample should be insignificant. [ 10,16 ]…”

“…To address this issue, the introduction of a second element to form a binary alloy has been proposed. [ 9 ] For example, the bismuth–antimony (Bi–Sb) bimetallic alloy exhibited good cycling stability, [ 10 ] which utilized Bi with a low volume variation to confine the expansion of Sb. However, such a prolonged cycle life was achieved at the expense of the overall capacity, as the alloy consisted of a large portion of low‐capacity Bi, thus defeating the high capacity characteristics of the alloy‐type anodes.…”

Heterogeneous Interface Design for Enhanced Sodium Storage: Sb Quantum Dots Confined by Functional Carbon

“…The Sb-based alloys are of two types: the active-active type (e.g., Sn-Sb, Bi-Sb, and Sn-Ge-Sb) and active-inactive type (e.g., Cu 2 Sb, Mo 3 Sb 7 , Zn 4 Sb, and FeSb 2 ). [9][10][11] The introduction of the active phases helps alleviate the concentrated volume expansion as different elements react Antimony (Sb) is considered a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity and moderate working potential. However, the non-negligible volume variation leads to the rapid decay of capacity, which hinders the practical application of Sb anode materials.…”

“…The Sb‐based alloys are of two types: the active–active type (e.g., Sn–Sb, Bi–Sb, and Sn–Ge–Sb) and active–inactive type (e.g., Cu 2 Sb, Mo 3 Sb 7 , Zn 4 Sb, and FeSb 2 ). [ 9–11 ] The introduction of the active phases helps alleviate the concentrated volume expansion as different elements react at different potentials. As for inactive metals, the incorporation of new phase serves as the structural reinforcement that buffers the volume expansion.…”