Superionic glass-ceramic electrolytes for room-temperature rechargeable sodium batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Renewable energy integration necessitates efficient energy storage solutions like rechargeable batteries.
• All-solid-state batteries offer enhanced safety and performance over conventional lithium-ion batteries.
• Sodium-ion batteries are a sustainable alternative due to abundant sodium resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly conductive solid electrolyte for all-solid-state sodium batteries.
• To stabilize a high-temperature phase of a sodium-ion conductor for enhanced conductivity.
• To demonstrate the functionality of a sodium-ion battery using the novel electrolyte.

Main Methods:

• Crystallization of a high-temperature phase from a glassy state to create a glass-ceramic electrolyte.
• Fabrication of a powder-compressed sodium thiophosphate (Na3PS4) electrolyte.
• Testing of all-solid-state sodium batteries at room temperature.

Main Results:

• Achieved ambient temperature ionic conductivity exceeding 10(-4) S cm(-1) in the glass-ceramic electrolyte.
• First realization of a cubic Na3PS4 crystal with superionic conductivity.
• Demonstrated successful rechargeable battery function at room temperature using a powder-compressed Na3PS4 electrolyte.

Conclusions:

• Stabilizing the high-temperature phase of Na3PS4 via glass-ceramic processing significantly boosts Na+ ion conductivity.
• The developed glass-ceramic electrolyte is a promising candidate for safe and efficient all-solid-state sodium batteries.
• This advancement contributes to the development of next-generation energy storage systems for renewable energy.