Transitioning from anhydrous Stanfieldite-type Na2Fe(SO4)2 Precursor to Alluaudite-type Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3/C composite cathode: A pathway to cost-effective and all-climate sodium-ion batteries

Wei Yang, Qi Liu*, Qiang Yang, Shijie Lu, Wenxiu He, Li Li, Renjie Chen, Feng Wu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Low-cost and long-life cathode materials, such as the polyanionic iron-based Alluaudite-type Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3, are crucial for future large-scale energy storage applications. This material is typically synthesized from the hydrated precursor Na2Fe(SO4)2·4H2O. However, the vapor released during the heating of crystal water can lead to reduced crystallinity, increased fraction of Na6Fe(SO4)4 impurities, and potential structural damage to Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3. For the first time, we synthesized a stable Stanfieldite-type Na2Fe(SO4)2 material using a well-designed sol-gel method. This approach effectively mitigates the aforementioned risks by facilitating a unique transition from anhydrous Na2Fe(SO4)2 precursor to Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3 cathode. The enhanced crystallinity, controllable impurity fraction, and reduced migration barriers of the pristine Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3 cathode significantly improve electrochemical performance. Moreover, we constructed Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3/C composite cathodes to optimize their high-rate capacity and cycling retention. At 25 °C, these composites exhibit remarkable high-rate capacity and maintain an impressive 92.2 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 10 C. In tests under extreme conditions at −25 °C, 0 °C, and 60 °C, they sustained over 90 % capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C or exceeded 95 % after 200 cycles at 2 C. Furthermore, the assembled Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3/C//HC full cells demonstrate superior rate capacity and long-term cycling stability, indicating their promising potential for commercial applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103925
JournalEnergy Storage Materials
Volume74
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Keywords

  • All-climate condition
  • Alluaudite-type NaFe(SO)
  • Iron-based polyanion
  • Sodium-ion batteries
  • Stanfieldite-type NaFe(SO)

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