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In situ atomic force microscopy study of nano-micro sodium deposition in ester-based electrolytes
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China. chenabc@nankai.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|February 17, 2018
Summary
Adding fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to ester-based electrolytes suppresses sodium dendrites. This creates a stable solid electrolyte interphase, enabling efficient and reliable sodium metal anodes for batteries.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Sodium metal anodes offer high energy density but suffer from dendrite formation.
- Stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation is crucial for safe sodium metal batteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) as an electrolyte additive on sodium deposition.
- To analyze the morphology and properties of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed during sodium deposition.
Main Methods:
- In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to observe sodium deposition.
- Electrochemical cycling was performed to evaluate battery performance.
Main Results:
- Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) effectively suppressed the growth of sodium dendrites.
- FEC decomposition formed a homogeneous, high-modulus NaF-containing SEI layer.
- The sodium metal anode achieved a high Coulombic efficiency of 88% over 50 cycles.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is a promising additive for stabilizing sodium metal anodes.
- The NaF-rich SEI layer formed by FEC decomposition enhances the stability and efficiency of sodium deposition.
- This work contributes to the development of safer and higher-performance sodium metal batteries.
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