Abstract
Sodium metal batteries have potentially high energy densities, but severe sodium-dendrite growth and side reactions prevent their practical applications, especially at high temperatures. Herein, we design an inorganic ionic conductor/gel polymer electrolyte composite, where uniformly cross-linked beta alumina nanowires are compactly coated by a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-based gel polymer electrolyte through their strong molecular interactions. These beta alumina nanowires combined with the gel polymer layer create dense and homogeneous solid-liquid hybrid sodium-ion transportation channels through and along the nanowires, which promote uniform sodium deposition and formation of a stable and flat solid electrolyte interface on the sodium metal anode. Side reactions between the sodium metal and liquid electrolyte, as well as sodium dendrite formation, are successfully suppressed, especially at 60 °C. The sodium vanadium phosphate/sodium full cells with composite electrolyte exhibit 95.3% and 78.8% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 C at 25 °C and 60 °C, respectively.
Highlights
Sodium metal batteries have potentially high energy densities, but severe sodium-dendrite growth and side reactions prevent their practical applications, especially at high temperatures
X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the prepared membrane suggest the formation of the hybrid phase of β-Al2O3 and β′′-Al2O3 after annealing at 1250 °C (Fig. 2a)
To identify the Na deposition behavior induced by different electrolytes at high temperature, Cu/Na cells using glass fiber (GF)–LE, Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), GFs–GPE, and Al2O3 Nanowires (ANs)–GPE were assembled, and areal capacities of 1 and 3 mAh cm−2 Na metal were deposited on the Cu surface at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2 at 60 °C
Summary
Sodium metal batteries have potentially high energy densities, but severe sodium-dendrite growth and side reactions prevent their practical applications, especially at high temperatures. We design an inorganic ionic conductor/gel polymer electrolyte composite, where uniformly cross-linked beta alumina nanowires are compactly coated by a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-based gel polymer electrolyte through their strong molecular interactions These beta alumina nanowires combined with the gel polymer layer create dense and homogeneous solid-liquid hybrid sodium-ion transportation channels through and along the nanowires, which promote uniform sodium deposition and formation of a stable and flat solid electrolyte interface on the sodium metal anode. Shenzhen Environmental Science and New Energy Technology Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China. Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy (DNL), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dalian 116023 Liaoning, China. It is desirable yet challenging to construct a uniform and compact solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Na metal to effectively passivate the Na metal surface and suppress
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
