Synergistic electrolyte engineering to enhance cycle stability of sodium ion batteries at high rates and elevated temperatures

Abstract

Layered transition metal oxide (LTMO)-based sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are prime candidates for outdoor stationary energy storage systems; however, their application is limited by rapid capacity decay under high-rate and elevated-temperature conditions. Herein, we propose a synergistic electrolyte engineering strategy based on a binary solvent system comprising propylene carbonate (PC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), supplemented with the film-forming electrolyte additives fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and vinylene carbonate (VC). The mixed electrolyte has been shown to enable the in situ formation of chemically stable, thermally resistant, and mechanically robust films on the LTMO cathode. The distinct functional roles of VC, FEC, PC, and EMC are systematically elucidated. Consequently, this synergistic electrolyte strategy enables LTMO-based SIBs to achieve outstanding cycle stability at high rates and elevated temperatures. Specifically, the LTMO-based SIBs delivered an initial capacity of 80 mAh g^-1 at 10 C (from the long-term cycling test), retained 62.7 mAh g^-1 after 600 cycles at 10 C, and retained 54.8 mAh g^-1 after 300 cycles at 1 C at 90 °C. This study presents a scalable strategy for developing high-stability LTMO-based SIBs with strong adaptability to aggressive outdoor stationary energy storage environments.

Keywords

Synergistic electrolyte engineering / layered transition metal oxides / sodium ion batteries / solid electrolyte interphase/cathode electrolyte interphase films / cycle stability / high-rate and elevated-temperature conditions

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