Synthesis, luminescence, and electrical properties of Na6Mg(SO4)4:xEu vanthoffite ceramics as electrode materials for sodium ion batteries

Abstract

Na6Mg(SO4)4:xEu, a member of multifunctional family of vanthoffite materials, low cost, electrolyte super solid ion conductor appropriate as electrode in sodium ion batteries was prepared by the simple solid state reaction method. The characterization by means of XRD and IR spectroscopy reveal a high purity of the obtained phases. The lattice parameter refinements confirm that the europium was effectively inserted in the host lattice according to the doping level. Eu3+ ions exhibit emission bands in the visible region with a maximum located at 620 nm. The lifetime of the emitted level is around 4.3 ms and it decreases when europium concentration increases. The electrical properties of the electrolytes showed that the conductivity is thermally active in the temperature range of 573–733 K.