Biomineralization-inspired synthesis of Na3V2(PO4)3 nanoparticles wrapped with 3D porous carbon as high-performance cathode for sodium-ion batteries

Inspired by biomineralization, we develop a facile synthesis route to obtain 3D porous foam-like Na3V2(PO4)(3)@C composites consisting of ultra-small Na3V2(PO4)(3) particles in situ wrapped with carbon architecture derived from yeast as storing sodium cathode. 3D carbon architecture with high electrical conductivity is endowed with important effect on bio-restricting the aggregation of Na3V2(PO4)(3) nanoparticles, improving Na+ diffusion coefficient. As a result, the Na3V2(PO4)(3)@C cathode shows good rate performance with 109 mAh g(-1) and 44 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C and 20 C, respectively. Besides, the storage mechanism and structure evolution of Na3V2(PO4)(3)@C have been certified by ex situ XRD and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The unique biomineralization process enables to improve the electrochemical performances of Na3V2(PO4)(3) by a facile self-organized process in a friendly environment. Therefore, biomineralization is a promising way to prepare high-performance cathode material with mesoporous structure for batteries.

Automated summary

Inspired by biomineralization, a facile synthesis route was developed to obtain 3D porous foam-like Na3V2(PO4)(3)@C composites with ultra-small Na3V2(PO4)(3) particles wrapped in a carbon architecture derived from yeast for storing sodium cathode. The unique 3D carbon architecture with high electrical conductivity effectively restricted the aggregation of Na3V2(PO4)(3) nanoparticles, leading to improved Na+ diffusion coefficient and good rate performance of the cathode material. Ex situ XRD and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the storage mechanism and structure evolution of Na3V2(PO4)(3)@C, showing the promising potential of biomineralization for preparing high-performance cathode materials with mesoporous structure for batteries.