Tailored synthesis of antimony-based alloy/oxides nanosheets for high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes

Abstract

We report a facile approach to synthesize NixSbyOz nanosheet mixtures consisting of Sb, Sb2O3 and NiSb2 for application as potential anode materials in sodium-ion batteries. The reaction time affects the morphology, particle size, and phase components of the NixSbyOz nanosheet mixtures. The nanosheet mixture (specifically, NixSbyOz-6h) exhibits an impressive electrochemical performance by demonstrating a remarkable cycling stability (over 250 cycles) with high coulombic efficiency (similar to 99%), reversible sodium storage capacity (similar to 382 mAh g(-1)), and excellent rate capability (similar to 315 mAh g(-1) at 10 A g(-1)). The notable electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the presence of layered structures and the Ni inactive phase functioning as buffer spaces for the significant volume expansion of Sb and preventing the collapse of the electrodes during the cycling process, as well as the shorter Na+ diffusion length, improving reaction kinetics. Furthermore, to realize a potential full-cell, the nanosheet anode is combined with a Prussian blue NaxFeFe(CN)(6) as a cathode, which exhibits a notable electrochemical performance with stable and high rate capacity by achieving an energy density of similar to 150 Wh kg(-1).