Enhancement of Y5-xPrxSb3-yMy (M = Sn, Pb) Electrodes for Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Batteries by Structure Disordering and CNTs Additives

The maximally disordered (MD) phases with the general formula Y5-xPrxSb3-yMy (M = Sn, Pb) are formed with partial substitution of Y by Pr and Sb by Sn or Pb in the binary Y5Sb3 compound. During the electrochemical lithiation and sodiation, the formation of Y5-xPrxSb3-yMyLiz and Y5-xPrxSb3-yMyNaz maximally disordered-high entropy intermetallic phases (MD-HEIP), as the result of insertion of Li/Na into octahedral voids, were observed. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are an effective additive to improve the cycle stability of the Y5-xPrxSb3-yMy (M = Sn, Pb) anodes for lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Modification of Y5-xPrxSb3-ySny alloys by carbon nanotubes allowed us to significantly increase the discharge capacity of both types of batteries, which reaches 280 mAh center dot g(-1) (for LIBs) and 160 mAh center dot g(-1) (for SIBs), respectively. For Y(5-x)PrxSb(3-y)Pb(y) alloys in which antimony is replaced by lead, these capacities are slightly smaller and are 270 mAh center dot g(-1) (for LIBs) and 155 mAh center dot g(-1) (for SIBs), respectively. Results show that structure disordering and CNT additives could increase the electrode capacities up to 30% for LIBs and up to 25% for SIBs.

Automated summary

By adding carbon nanotubes to Y5-xPrxSb3-yMy alloys, the discharge capacity of lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries can be significantly increased, up to 30% and 25% respectively. When antimony is replaced by lead in the alloy, the discharge capacity slightly decreases.