3D Electronic Channels Wrapped Large-Sized Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ as Flexible Electrode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

The development of portable and wearable electronics has aroused the increasing demand for flexible energy-storage devices, especially for the characteristics of high energy density, excellent mechanical properties, simple synthesis process, and low cost. However, the development of flexible electrodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is still limited due to the intricate production methods and the relatively high-cost of current collectors such as graphene/graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes. Here, the hierarchical 3D electronic channels wrapped large-sized Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ is designed and fabricated by a simple electrospinning technique. As flexible electrode material, it exhibits outstanding electrolyte wettability, together with ultrafast electronic conductivity and high Na-ion diffusion coefficients for SIBs, leading to superior electrochemical performances. A high reversible specific capacity of 116 mA h g⁻¹ (nearly 99% of the theoretical specific capacities) can be obtained at the current density of 0.1 C. Even after a 300-fold current density increased (30 C), the discharge specific capacity of the flexible electrode still remains 63 mA h g⁻¹. Such an effective concept of fabricating 3D electronic channels for large-sized particles is expected to accelerate the practical applications of flexible batteries at various systems.