Electrochemical investigations of high-voltage Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 cathode for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

The electrochemical properties of carbon and reduced graphene-coated Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 materials have been evaluated as high-voltage positive electrodes for sodium-ion batteries. Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 exhibits the highest Ni3+/Ni2+ redox potential of 4.8 V vs. Na+/Na with a theoretical capacity of 127 mAh g−1. Here, we report on the synthesis and characterizations of Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7-reduced graphene oxide and Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7-carbon composites. The high-voltage dimethyl carbonate–based electrolyte has been chosen to explore the electrochemical properties of Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 as a cathode. Carbon-coated Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 composite electrode delivers a stable discharge capacity of 51 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C rate for 40 cycles which corresponds to a reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of 1.3 sodium ions. The structural deformation has been observed during the charge–discharge process beyond the removal of 1.3 Na+ ions and has been confirmed by in situ PXRD measurements. The present results provide a guideline to improve the performances of the high-voltage Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 material for the next generation sodium-ion batteries.