Nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets decorated Li3V2(PO4)3/C nanocrystals as high-rate and ultralong cycle-life cathode for lithium-ion batteries

Surface Crystal Modification of Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 to Cast Intermediate Na2 V2 (PO4 )3 Phase toward High-Rate Sodium Storage

The two-phase reaction of Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 - Na1 V2 (PO4 )3 in Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 (NVP) is hindered by low electronic and ionic conductivity. To address this problem, a surface-N-doped NVP encapsulating by N-doped carbon nanocage (N-NVP/N-CN) is rationally constructed, wherein the nitrogen is doped in both the surface crystal structure of NVP and carbon layer. The surface crystal modification decreases the energy barrier of Na+ diffusion from bulk to electrolyte, enhances intrinsic electronic conductivity, and releases lattice stress. Meanwhile, the porous architecture provides more active sites for redox reactions and shortens the diffusion path of ion. Furthermore, the new interphase of Na2 V2 (PO4 )3 is detected by in situ XRD and clarified by density functional theory (DFT) calculation with a lower energy barrier during the fast reversible electrochemical three-phase reaction of Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 - Na2 V2 (PO4 )3 - Na1 V2 (PO4 )3 . Therefore, as cathode of sodium-ion battery, the N-NVP/N-CN exhibited specific capacities of 119.7 and 75.3 mAh g-1 at 1 C and even 200 C. Amazingly, high capacities of 89.0, 86.2, and 84.6 mAh g-1 are achieved after overlong 10000 cycles at 20, 40, and 50 C, respectively. This approach provides a new idea for surface crystal modification to cast intermediate Na2 V2 (PO4 )3 phase for achieving excellent cycling stability and rate capability.

Stabilized covalent interfacial coupling design of Li3V2(PO4)3 with carbon framework for boosting lithium storage kinetics

LVP@C with stabilized electronic conductive layer is prepared by a facile organic–inorganic hybrid hydrogel-enabled methodology, in which LVP is chemically interacting with carbon framework via P–C and P–O–C bonds.

A Novel Composite Li3V2(PO4)3∥Li2NaV2(PO4)3/C as Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

A novel composite cathode for lithium ion batteries, Li3V2(PO4)3‖Li2NaV2(PO4)3/C, was synthesized by a sol-gel method. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a surfactant while polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) was the carbon source. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman results showed that the components of this composite are monoclinic Li3V2(PO4)3, rhombohedral Li2NaV2(PO4)3 and an amorphous carbon-coating. Four potential plateaus occur at the charge/discharge curves and the longest plateau is observed at a potential of 3.8/3.7 V. Therefore, the alkali metal ion intercalation and deintercalation mostly occur at this potential, which is different to that observed for Li3V2(PO4)3. In addition to the stable working potential, this composite also possesses an outstanding electrochemical performance. The sample containing 8.32 % carbon content delivers a capacity of 119 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C rate and 87 mAh g−1 at 12 C. After 50 charge/discharge cycles at 1 C, a coulombic efficiency of 98.4 % is maintained. This enhancement of the electrochemical performance could be attributed to the synergistic effect between monoclinic Li3V2(PO4)3 and rhombohedral Li2NaV2(PO4)3.

Anthracite-Derived Dual-Phase Carbon-Coated Li3V2(PO4)3 as High-Performance Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

In this study, low cost anthracite-derived dual-phase carbon-coated Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ composites have been successfully prepared via a traditional solid-phase method. XRD results show that the as-prepared samples have high crystallinity and anthracite introduction has no influence on the LVP crystal structure. The LVP/C particles are uniformly covered with a dual-phase carbon layer composed of amorphous carbon and graphitic carbon. The effect of the amount of anthracite on the battery performance of LVP as a cathode material has also been studied. The LVP/C composite obtained with 10 wt % anthracite (LVP/C-10) delivers the highest initial charge/discharge capacities of 186.1/168.2 mAh g^-1 at 1 C and still retains the highest discharge capacity of 134.0 mAh g^-1 even after 100 cycles. LVP/C-10 also displays an outstanding average capacity of 140.8 mAh g^-1 at 5 C. The superior rate capability and cycling stability of LVP/C-10 is ascribed to the reduced particle size, decreased charge-transfer resistance, and improved lithium ion diffusion coefficient. Our results demonstrate that using anthracite as a carbon source opens up a new strategy for larger-scale synthesis of LVP and other electrode materials with poor electronic conductivity for lithium ion batteries.

Challenges and Perspectives for NASICON-Type Electrode Materials for Advanced Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted increasing attention in the past decades, because of high overall abundance of precursors, their even geographical distribution, and low cost. Apart from inherent thermodynamic disadvantages, SIBs have to overcome multiple kinetic problems, such as fast capacity decay, low rate capacities and low Coulombic efficiencies. A special case is sodium super ion conductor (NASICON)-based electrode materials as they exhibit - besides pronounced structural stability - exceptionally high ion conductivity, rendering them most promising for sodium storage. Owing to the limiting, comparatively low electronic conductivity, nano-structuring is a prerequisite for achieving satisfactory rate-capability. In this review, we analyze advantages and disadvantages of NASICON-type electrode materials and highlight electrode structure design principles for obtaining the desired electrochemical performance. Moreover, we give an overview of recent approaches to enhance electrical conductivity and structural stability of cathode and anode materials based on NASICON structure. We believe that this review provides a pertinent insight into relevant design principles and inspires further research in this respect.

Surface Modification of Na3V2(PO4)3 by Nitrogen and Sulfur Dual-Doped Carbon Layer with Advanced Sodium Storage Property

Nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped carbon layer wrapped Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanoparticles (NVP@NSC) have been successfully fabricated by the facile solid-state method. In this hierarchical structure, the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ nanoparticles are well dispersed and closely coated by nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped carbon layer, constructing an effective and interconnected conducting network to reduce the internal resistance. Furthermore, the uniform coating layers alleviate the agglomeration of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ as well as mitigate the side reaction between electrode and electrolyte. Because of the excellent electron transfer mutually enhancing sodium diffusion for this extraordinary structure, the NVP@NSC composite delivers an impressive discharge capacity of 113.0 mAh g^-1 at 1 C and shows a capacity retention of 82.1% after 5000 cycles at an ultrahigh rate of 50 C, suggesting the remarkable rate capability and long cyclicity. Surprisingly, a reversible capacity of 91.1 mAh g^-1 is maintained after 1000 cycles at 5 C under the elevated temperature of 55 °C. The approach of nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped carbon-coated Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ provides an effective and promising strategy to enhance the ultrahigh rate and ultralong life property of cathode, which can be used for large-scale commercial production in sodium ion batteries.