1D nanostructured Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) as high-potential and superior-performance cathode material for sodium-ion batteries

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2014 Jun 25;6(12):9111-7. doi: 10.1021/am501072j. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Abstract

Tailoring materials into nanostructure offers unprecedented opportunities in the utilization of their functional properties. High-purity Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) with 1D nanostructure is prepared as a cathode material for rechargeable Na-ion batteries. An efficient synthetic approach is developed by carefully controlling the crystal growth in the molten sodium phosphate. Based on the XRD, XPS, TG, and morphological characterization, a molten-salt assisted mechanism for nanoarchitecture formation is revealed. The prepared Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) nanorod has rectangle sides and preferential [001] growth orientation. GITT evaluation indicates that the sodium de/intercalation of Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) nanorod involves V(3+)/V(4+) redox reaction and Na5V(3.5+)4(P2O7)4(PO4) as intermediate phase, which results in two pairs of potential plateaus at the equilibrium potentials of 3.8713 V (V(3+)/V(3.5+)) and 3.8879 V (V(3.5+)/V(4+)), respectively. The unique nanoarchitecture of the phase-pure Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) facilitates its reversible sodium de/intercalation, which is beneficial to the high-rate capability and the cycling stability. The Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) cathode delivers 80% of the capacity (obtained at C/20) at the 10 C rate and 95% of the initial capacity after 200 cycles. Therefore, it is feasible to design and fabricate an advanced rechargeable sodium-ion battery by employment of 1D nanostructured Na7V4(P2O7)4(PO4) as the cathode material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrodes
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Phosphates / chemistry
  • Sodium / chemistry
  • Vanadium Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Phosphates
  • Vanadium Compounds
  • Sodium
  • sodium phosphate