Glyme–Sodium Bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide Complex Electrolytes for Sodium Ion Batteries

Abstract

The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of an equimolar complex of pentaglyme (G5) and sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (NaFSA), [Na(G5)][FSA], mixed with a hydrofluoroether (HFE) were investigated. Ab initio calculations and Raman spectroscopy showed that the coordination structure of [Na(G5)][FSA] was similar to that of [Na(G5)][TFSA] (TFSA: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide). The ligand G5 remained coordinated to Na+ and was not liberated from the cationic [Na(G5)]+ complex even in the presence of HFE. The charge transport property was greater in [Na(G5)][FSA]/HFE than in [Na(G5)][TFSA]/HFE. A prominent difference was found in the Na metal deposition/dissolution behavior. Highly reversible Na deposition/dissolution with a Coulombic efficiency (95%) could be achieved in [Na(G5)][FSA]/HFE; however, the reversibility in [Na(G5)][TFSA]/HFE was very low. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the deposited Na metal in each electrolyte revealed that a thin and compact layer of electrolyte decom...