Construction of AlF3 layer to improve Na3.12Fe2.44(P2O7)2 interfacial stability for high temperature stable cycling

Abstract

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are applied to the field of energy storage due to their unique advantages, however, large scale energy storage equipment, also requires low cost, good cycling performance, safety performance and good environmental adaptation performance, in order to cope with various climatic conditions. The polyanionic material Na3.12Fe2.44(P2O7)2(NFPO) is considered to be an excellent cathode material for SIBs due to its unique large frame work structure and good thermal stability, leading to good cycle stability and a wide working temperature. Nevertheless, poor intrinsic conductivity of the material brings about large polarization, resulting in low electrochemical reversibility. Especially in high temperature environment, the electrolyte aggravates the erosion of the material and increases the side reactions, making the cycle stability worse. In this study, nanoscale NFPO composites are synthesized by an optimized sol–gel method, while the interface is modified using AlF3, to achieve resistance to surface oxidation and corrosion. Impressively, these modified materials exhibit high-temperature electrochemical properties due to the thermal stability and interfacial protection of AlF3. At 60 °C, it provides a discharge capacity of 130 mAh g−1 at 0.1C, still has a discharge capacity of 100.4 mAh g−1 at 10C, a capacity retention rate of 96.3% after 400 cycles, and has excellent long-term cycling performance (70% capacity retention rate after 6000 cycles at 50C). This work demonstrates the effectiveness of the interfacial modification and provides an impactful strategy for the design of batteries at high temperatures.