Na-ion batteries have taken more interest in recent years as an alternative battery chemistry to Li-ion batteries because of material abundance, cost, and sufficient volumetric energy density for large-scale energy storage applications. However, Na-ion batteries suffer from rapid capacity fade associated with chemo-mechanical instabilities such as the formation of resistive solid-electrolyte / cathode-electrolyte interphase (SEI/CEI) layers, irreversible phase formations, and particle fracture. The cathode materials are fragile, especially metal oxides, therefore Na-ion cathodes are more prone to mechanical deformations upon larger volumetric expansions/reductions during Na-ion intercalation. Electrolyte additives have been utilized to improve the electrochemical performance of Li-ion and Na-ion batteries by modifying the chemistry of the SEI layers. In situ stress measurements on Si anode in Li-ion batteries demonstrated the generation of less mechanical deformations in the electrode when cycled in the presence of FEC additives.1However, there is not much known about the impact of electrolyte additives on the chemo-mechanical properties of CEI layers in Na-ion battery cathodes. Furthermore, the question still stands about how the electrolyte additives may impact the mechanical stability of the Na-ion cathodes. To address this gap, we systematically investigated the role of FEC additives on the electrochemical performance and associated chemo-mechanical instabilities in NaCrO2 cathodes. Experiments were performed in organic electrolytes with/without FEC additives. First, the talk will start with presenting the impact of FEC additives on the capacity retention and cyclic voltammeter profiles of NaCrO2 cathodes. Then, digital image correlation and multi-beam optical stress sensor techniques were employed to probe electrochemical strain and stress generation in the composite NaCrO2 cathodes during electrochemical cycling in organic electrolytes with/without FEC additives. Surface chemistry of the NaCrO2 cathodes after cycling was investigated with the FT-IR measurements. In summary, the talk will present contrast differences in the electrochemical and chemo-mechanical properties of NaCrO2 cathodes when cycled in the presence of the FEC additives. Acknowledgement: This work is supported by National Science Foundation (award number 2321405). Reference: 1) Tripathi et al 2023 J. Electrochem. Soc. 170 090544
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Beyond Composition: Surface Reactivity and Structural Arrangement of the Cathode–Electrolyte Interphase
The role of the cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) on battery performance has been historically overlooked due to the anodic stability of carbonate-based electrolytes used in Li-ion batteries. Yet, over the past few decades, degradation in device lifetime has been attributed to cathode surface reactivity, ion transport at the cathode/electrolyte interface, and structural transformations that occur at the cathode surface. In this review, we highlight recent progress in analytical techniques that have facilitated these insights and elucidated not only the CEI composition but also the spatial distribution of electrolyte decomposition products in the CEI as well as cathode-driven reactions that occur during battery operation. With a deeper understanding of the CEI and the processes that lead to its formation, these advanced characterization tools can unlock routes to mitigate impedance rise, particle cracking, transition metal dissolution, and electrolyte consumption, ultimately enabling longer lasting, safer batteries.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2045262
- PAR ID:
- 10510025
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Chemical Society
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ACS Energy Letters
- Volume:
- 8
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2380-8195
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 4572 to 4596
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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