Open AccessDesign and Synthesis of Layered Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 and Tunnel Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 Hybrid Structures with Enhanced Electrochemical Behavior for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Author(s) -
Wu Chunjin,
Hua Weibo,
Zhang Zheng,
Zhong Benhe,
Yang Zuguang,
Feng Guilin,
Xiang Wei,
Wu Zhenguo,
Guo Xiaodong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201800519
Subject(s) - anode , intercalation (chemistry) , materials science , electrochemistry , synchrotron , phase (matter) , electrode , hybrid material , sodium ion battery , chemical engineering , ion , sodium , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , optics , faraday efficiency , metallurgy , physics , organic chemistry , engineering
A novel complementary approach for promising anode materials is proposed. Sodium titanates with layered Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 and tunnel Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 hybrid structure are presented, fabricated, and characterized. The hybrid sample exhibits excellent cycling stability and superior rate performance by the inhibition of layered phase transformation and synergetic effect. The structural evolution, reaction mechanism, and reaction dynamics of hybrid electrodes during the sodium insertion/desertion process are carefully investigated. In situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction (SXRD) characterization is performed and the result indicates that Na + inserts into tunnel structure with occurring solid solution reaction and intercalates into Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 structure with appearing a phase transition in a low voltage. The reaction dynamics reveals that sodium ion diffusion of tunnel Na 2 Ti 6 O 13 is faster than that of layered Na 2 Ti 3 O 7 . The synergetic complementary properties are significantly conductive to enhance electrochemical behavior of hybrid structure. This study provides a promising candidate anode for advanced sodium ion batteries (SIBs).