Congratulations to Tao An from the research group for her work on room temperature solid sodium-sulfur batteries was accepted by the international authoritative journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. The title of the paper is “Material and Interfacial Modification toward Stable Room-temperature Solid-state Na–S Battery”.

Abstract

Room-temperature solid-state sodium batteries have the remarkable potential to simultaneously achieve high safety, high energy density, and low cost. However, their current performance is far below expectations. Through material and interfacial modification based on Na₃PS₄solid electrolytes, progress is made toward stable room-temperature solid-state sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries. First, the ionic liquidN-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Pyr₁₄FSI) is employed to modify the anode/electrolyte interface. An overpotential of 0.55 V after 900 h of a symmetrical battery indicates enhanced interfacial stability. A stablein situsolid electrolyte interphase layer is formed at the interface of NaSn alloy and Na₃PS₄, proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Furthermore, selenium-doped sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (Se_0.05S_0.95@pPAN) is used to boost the ionic and electronic conductivities of the sulfur cathode. As a result, the Na–S battery using a Se_0.05S_0.95@pPAN cathode and the interfacial modification delivers stable cycle performance and enhanced rate capability.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.0c03899