Sb/Cu2Sb-TiC-C Composite Anode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium.
• Developing high-performance anode materials is crucial for advancing SIB technology.
• Nanostructured materials offer unique advantages in electrochemical energy storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel nanostructure anode material for SIBs.
• To investigate the electrochemical performance of copper-antimony alloy (Cu2Sb) within a titanium carbide (TiC) and carbon (C) matrix.
• To evaluate the effect of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive on anode performance.

Main Methods:

• High energy mechanical milling (HEMM) was used to synthesize the Cu2Sb-TiC-C composite.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were employed for material characterization.
• Electrochemical testing, including cyclic performance and rate capability studies, was conducted.

Main Results:

• The Cu2Sb-TiC-C composite anode exhibited superior cyclic performance and rate capability compared to Sb/Cu2Sb-TiC-C.
• The addition of FEC to the electrolyte significantly improved electrochemical performance, especially at high current densities.
• A stable and thin solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer was observed with FEC addition, contributing to enhanced stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed Cu2Sb-TiC-C nanostructure is a promising anode material for high-performance sodium-ion batteries.
• The incorporation of FEC additive effectively enhances the electrochemical stability and rate capability of the anode.
• This study highlights the potential of alloyed nanostructures and electrolyte additives for next-generation energy storage solutions.