Modified Pechini-derived Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C with superior low-temperature performance for sodium-ion batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are explored as sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.
• NASICON-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) is a promising SIB cathode material due to its stable structure and fast ion diffusion.
• Low electronic conductivity of NVP hinders its practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize NASICON-structure NVP nanomaterial with improved properties.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance of NVP-based cathodes, especially at low temperatures.
• To address the low electronic conductivity challenge in NVP for practical SIBs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of NASICON-structure NVP nanomaterial using a modified Pechini method.
• Application of carbon coating to the NVP nanomaterial.
• Electrochemical performance testing of the NVP/C composite cathode at various temperatures, including subzero conditions.

Main Results:

• The modified Pechini method successfully produced NVP nanomaterial with carbon coating (NVP/C).
• The NVP/C cathode demonstrated a capacity of 74.13 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C and -20 °C.
• The material retained 74.99% of its room-temperature capacity at -25 °C, showing excellent low-temperature performance.

Conclusions:

• The NVP/C composite synthesized via the modified Pechini method is a highly promising cathode material for SIBs.
• The material exhibits exceptional performance and resilience at subzero temperatures.
• This development advances the potential of SIBs for cold environments and demanding applications.