Towards the High Phase Purity of Nanostructured Alluaudite-Type Glass-Ceramics Cathode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries

Alluaudite-type materials are systematically attracting more attention as prospective cathode materials for sodium ion batteries. In this paper, we strove to optimize various synthesis parameters of three alluaudite compositions (Na2Fe3(PO4)(3)-FFF, Na2VFe2(PO4)(3)-VFF, and Na2VFeMn(PO4)(3)-VFM) to obtain nanostructured alluaudite-type glass-ceramics with high phase purity. We systematically investigated the role of the chemical reactions, temperature and time of melting, cooling rate, and reducing factors on the quality of the final products. A detailed synthesis protocol along with X-ray diffractometry, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy imaging, and electrical conductivity measurements (with impedance spectroscopy) are reported. As a result, a significant increase of the conductivity was observed in the nanomaterials. The highest value was reached for the VFF composition and was equal to 6x10(-4) S/cm at room temperature.

Automated summary

Alluaudite-type materials are increasingly considered as potential cathode materials for sodium ion batteries. This study optimized synthesis parameters to obtain nanostructured alluaudite-type glass-ceramics with high phase purity, while investigating the effects of various factors on product quality. The nanomaterials showed significantly increased conductivity, with the highest value reached for the VFF composition.