Na-Rich Na3V2(PO4)3 Cathodes for Long Cycling Rechargeable Sodium Full Cells

NASICON-type sodium vanadium phosphate (Na3V2(PO4)(3), or NVP) cathode materials have great potential for fast charging and long cycling sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) similar to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP) cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the cycle life and energy density in the full cell using NVP materials need to be significantly improved. This paper investigates the degradation mechanisms of NVP-based SIBs and identifies the Na loss from the cathode to the anode solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) reactions as the main cause of capacity degradation. A new Na-rich NVP cathode (e.g., Na4V2(PO4)(3), or Na4VP) is developed to address the Na loss problem. Conventional NVP can be easily transformed into the Na4VP by a facile and fast chemical solution treatment (30 s). Na-free-anode Na4VP and hard carbon-Na4VP full cells are assembled to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the Na-rich NVP cathode. The Na4VP cathode provides excess Na to compensate for the Na loss, resulting much longer cycle life in the full cells (>400 cycles) and a high specific energy and power density. Good low-temperature performance is also observed.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the degradation mechanisms of NASICON-type sodium vanadium phosphate (NVP) cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and proposes a solution to the capacity degradation caused by sodium loss. By developing a sodium-rich NVP cathode (Na4VP) and assembling full cells using Na-free anode and hard carbon anode, the authors were able to significantly improve the cycle life and energy density.