Dynamic Lock-And-Release Mechanism Enables Reduced ΔG at Low Temperatures for High-Performance Polyanionic Cathode in Sodium-Ion Batteries

Low-temperature synthesis of polyanionic cathodes for sodium-ion batteries is highly desirable but often plagued by prolonged reaction times and suboptimal crystallinity. To address these challenges, a novel self-adaptive coordination field regulation (SACFR) strategy based on a dynamic lock-and-release (DLR) mechanism is introduced. Specifically, urea is used as a DLR carrier during synthesis, which dynamically “locks” and “releases” vanadium ions for controlled release, simultaneously “locking” H⁺ ions to enhance phosphate group release, thereby creating a self-adaptive coordination field that can intelligently respond to real-time demands of the reaction system. This dynamic coordination behavior contributes to both an improvement in reaction kinetics and a significant reduction in Gibbs free energy change (ΔG). As a result, the kinetic efficiency and thermodynamic spontaneity of the reaction are greatly enhanced, enabling the efficient synthesis of high-crystalline Na₃V₂O₂(PO₄)₂F (NVOPF) at 90 °C within just 3 hours. The as-prepared NVOPF cathode exhibits exceptional rate performance and ultra-stable cycling stability across a broad temperature range. Furthermore, the successful kilogram-scale synthesis underscores the practical potential of the innovative strategy. This work pioneers the regulation of coordination field chemistry for polyanionic cathode synthesis, providing transformative insights into material design.