Structural, electronic, sodium diffusion and elastic properties of Na-P alloy anode for Na-ion batteries: Insight from first-principles calculations

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have recently received great attentions because of the relatively high abundance of sodium. Searching for suitable anode materials has always been a hot topic in the field of NIB study. Recent reports show that phosphorus-based materials are potential as the anode materials for NIBs. Using first-principles calculations, herein, we study the atomic and electronic structures, diffusion dynamics and intrinsic elastic properties of various Na-P alloy compounds (NaP5, Na3P11, NaP and Na3P) as the intermediate phases during Na extraction/insertion in phosphorus-based anode materials. It is found that all the crystalline phases of Na P alloy phases considered in our study are semiconductors with band gaps larger than that of black phosphorus (BP). The calculations of Na diffusion dynamics indicate a relatively fast Na diffusion in these materials, which is important for good rate performance. In addition, the diffusion channels of sodium ions are one-dimensional in NaP5 phase and three-dimensional in other three phases (Na3P11, NaP and Na3P). Elastic constant calculations indicate that all four phases are mechanically stable. Among them, however, NaP5, Na3P11 and NaP alloy phases are ductile, while the fully sodiated phase Na3P is brittle. In order to improve the electrochemical performance of Na P alloy anodes for NIBs, thus, promoting ductility of Na P phase with high sodium concentration may be an effective way.