Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of sodium powder as electrode additive to improve cycling performance of sodium-ion batteries

Tan

et al. 2019

Adv Funct Materials

113

The formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the surface of carbon anode consumes the active sodium ions from the cathode and reduces the energy density of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we report a simple electrode-level presodiation strategy by spraying a sodium naphthaline (Naph-Na) solution onto a carbon electrode, which compensates the initial sodium loss and improves the energy density of SIBs. After presodiation, a SEI layer was preformed on the surface of carbon anode before battery cycling. We show that a large irreversible capacity of 60 mAh g 1 was replenished and 20% increase of the first-cycle Columbic efficiency was achieved for a hard carbon anode using this presodiation strategy, and the energy density of a Na 0.9 [Cu 0.22 Fe 0.30 Mn 0.48 ]O 2 ||carbon full cell was increased from 141 Wh kg 1 to 240 Wh kg 1 by using the presodiated carbon anode. This simple and scalable electrode-level chemical presodiation route also shows generality and value for the presodiation of other anodes in SIBs.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Electrode‐Level Chemical Presodiation Route by Solution Spraying to Improve the Energy Density of Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Tan

et al. 2019

Adv Funct Materials

113

Advanced Energy Materials

“…However, hard carbon still exhibits low first cycle columbic efficiencies resulting from sodium consumption to form the solid electrolyte interface, keeping reversible capacities low. While the use of sacrificial salts have been shown to mitigate columbic efficiency losses, [ 33 ] resolving the performance challenges of hard carbon is still impeded by a poor understanding of its sodium storage and degradation mechanisms. [ 34 ] Alternative anode materials for NIBs can be explored instead, such as the use of metallic sodium or metallic sodium alloys (Sn, Sb) that possess higher storage capacities and chemical potentials compared to hard carbon.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sodium‐Ion Batteries Paving the Way for Grid Energy Storage

Hirsh

Tan

et al. 2020

382

208

The recent proliferation of renewable energy generation offers mankind hope, with regard to combatting global climate change. However, reaping the full benefits of these renewable energy sources requires the ability to store and distribute any renewable energy generated in a cost‐effective, safe, and sustainable manner. As such, sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) have been touted as an attractive storage technology due to their elemental abundance, promising electrochemical performance and environmentally benign nature. Moreover, new developments in sodium battery materials have enabled the adoption of high‐voltage and high‐capacity cathodes free of rare earth elements such as Li, Co, Ni, offering pathways for low‐cost NIBs that match their lithium counterparts in energy density while serving the needs for large‐scale grid energy storage. In this essay, a range of battery chemistries are discussed alongside their respective battery properties while keeping metrics for grid storage in mind. Matters regarding materials and full cell cost, supply chain and environmental sustainability are discussed, with emphasis on the need to eliminate several elements (Li, Ni, Co) from NIBs. Future directions for research are also discussed, along with potential strategies to overcome obstacles in battery safety and sustainable recyclability.

“…The sodium compensation strategies mentioned above are either generating gas or generating residues remaining in the electrode, which may have an unpredictable effect on the safety and electrochemical performance of the cell to some extent. Another sodium compensation strategy worth mentioning here is to mix metal sodium or metal lithium directly into the electrode material (Figure d). Metal sodium has been a challenge as a sodium additive because of its high activity, softness, and difficulty in powdering.…”

Section: Strategies For Boosting Sifcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thanks to the reversible solubility of Na 3 SbS 4 in water and alcohol, Hong et al precoated NaCrO 2 with Na 3 SbS 4 to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of full cell from 3 to 108 mA h g −1 , [161] implying that a reasonable design of the mixing method between the electrode material and the electrolyte is necessary. The structural flexibility and small volume change of amorphous materials may play a role in mitigating interface stress during cycles, but amorphization is so difficult Small 2019, 15,1900233 [182] Copyright 2018, Elsevier.…”

Section: All-solid-state Electrolytesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Metal sodium has been a challenge as a sodium additive because of its high activity, softness, and difficulty in powdering. Pol et al synthesized a suspension of metallic sodium powder capable of dispersing in n‐hexane by ultrasonic assisted method. Subsequently, the above suspended liquid droplets are applied to the HC anode electrode, and the presodiation of the HC is achieved after drying and rolling, etc., which enables the capacity and energy density of the full cell with NaCrO 2 as the cathode to be increased by 10% and 5%, respectively.…”

Section: Strategies For Boosting Sifcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nonaqueous Sodium‐Ion Full Cells: Status, Strategies, and Prospects

Niu

Yin

Guo

2019

Small

With ever‐increasing efforts focused on basic research of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and growing energy demand, sodium‐ion full cells (SIFCs), as unique bridging technology between sodium‐ion half‐cells (SIHCs) and commercial batteries, have attracted more and more interest and attention. To promote the development of SIFCs in a better way, it is essential to gain a systematic and profound insight into their key issues and research status. This Review mainly focuses on the interface issues, major challenges, and recent progresses in SIFCs based on diversified electrolytes (i.e., nonaqueous liquid electrolytes, quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes, and all‐solid‐state electrolytes) and summarizes the modification strategies to improve their electrochemical performance, including interface modification, cathode/anode matching, capacity ratio, electrolyte optimization, and sodium compensation. Outlooks and perspectives on the future research directions to build better SIFCs are also provided.