Beyond Li-ion Batteries: Novel, Efficient Electrode Materials for Sodium Ion Storage

• Applicant: Dr. Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426530815

• Final Report Year: 2024

Final Report Abstract

There has been an urgent need to develop low-cost, high-efficiency alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. The main challenge lies in the lack of high-performance electrode materials, which can be more cost-effective than Li-ion-based options. This project (BLESS) has focused on creating, testing, and optimizing new, stable, and affordable electrodes for sodium-ion batteries (NIB). Within the project novel electrode materials with enhanced conductivity and electrochemical stability have been synthesized. The anode consists of a "one-pot" synthesized porous tin-carbon composite (Sn/C/SiOC) which maintains the Na-storage capacity despite volume changes. Na3V2(PO4)3/carbon nanocomposite cathode produced using a Pickering emulsion-assisted sol-gel method presents enhanced electrochemical performance. The work on the cathode has been realized by the cooperation partner, Gdansk University of Technology in Poland. The electrical and microstructural properties of these materials will be analyzed using techniques like electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), solid-state MAS NMR, and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Additionally, single-particle measurements will assess the intrinsic Nadiffusion properties. MAS NMR will provide insights into ion mobility and structural changes, while electron microscopy will help visualize the material's composite structure.

Publications

• Towards a Greener and Scalable Synthesis of Na2Ti6O13 Nanorods and Their Application as Anodes in Batteries for Grid‐Level Energy Storage. Energy Technology, 9(1).
  De Carolis, Dario M.; Vrankovic, Dragoljub; Kiefer, Samira A.; Bruder, Enrico; Dürrschnabel, Michael Thomas; Molina‐Luna, Leopoldo; Graczyk‐Zajac, Magdalena & Riedel, Ralf
  
• ICNaB 2022 Ulm, Germany Oral Presentation: From design to implementation of a sustainable, hybrid 2.5 MWh stationary storage system
  Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac
  
• ICNaB 2022 Ulm, Germany. Poster: Unlocking High-rate Performance in C/Sn-Composites by employing an ultra-fast heating process. Poster Prize
  Alexander Kempf, Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac, Emmanuel III Ricohermoso, Michael Dürrschnabel & Ralf Riedel
  
• Impact of blending with polystyrene on the microstructural and electrochemical properties of SiOC ceramic. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 20(1), 51-58.
  Wilamowska‐Zawlocka, Monika & Graczyk‐Zajac, Magdalena
  
• Pan American Ceramics Congress and Ferroelectrics Meeting of Americas (PACC-FMAs 2022) in Panama City Oral Presentation: Silicon-Based Anode Materials for Advanced Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries
  Ralf Riedel & Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac
  
• Si-based polymer-derived ceramics for energy conversion and storage. Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 11(2), 197-246.
  Wen, Qingbo; Qu, Fangmu; Yu, Zhaoju; Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena; Xiong, Xiang & Riedel, Ralf
  
• SiCN Ceramics as Electrode Materials for Sodium/Sodium Ion Cells – Insights from 23Na In‐Situ Solid‐State NMR. Batteries & Supercaps, 5(7).
  Šić, Edina; Melzi, d.'Eril Marco; Schutjajew, Konstantin; Graczyk‐Zajac, Magdalena J.; Breitzke, Hergen; Riedel, Ralf; Oschatz, Martin; Gutmann, Torsten & Buntkowsky, Gerd
  
• Effect of ultra-fast pyrolysis on polymer-derived SiOC aerogels and their application as anodes for Na-ion batteries. Open Ceramics, 14, 100354.
  Melzi, d.’Eril Marco; Zambotti, Andrea; Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena; Ionescu, Emanuel; Sorarù, Gian Domenico & Riedel, Ralf
  
• ICNaB 2023 Liyang, China Poster: Polymer-derived Sn/SiOC composites as high-capacity anode material for Sodium-ion batteries. Poster Prize
  Alexander Kempf, Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac & Ralf Riedel
  
• ISSFIT15 2023 (International Symposium on Systems with Fast Ionic Transport) Dubrovnik, Croatia. Oral Presentation: Preparation of high-capacity C/Sn anodes for sodium ion batteries, facilitated via an ultra-fast heating process
  Alexander Kempf
  
• Tin-functionalized silicon oxycarbide as a stable, high-capacity anode material for Na-ion batteries. Open Ceramics, 15, 100388.
  Kempf, Alexander; Kiefer, Samira; Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena; Ionescu, Emanuel & Riedel, Ralf
  
• 5th International Symposium on New Frontier of Advanced Si-Based Ceramics and Composites (ISASC 2024) in Jeju, Corea Oral Presentation: Polymer-derived ceramics as efficient electrode material for Na-based batteries
  Ralf Riedel, Magdalena Graczyk-Zajac, Dario De Carolis, Marco Melzi d'Eril & Alexander Kempf
  
• Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Battery. Advanced Technologies for Rechargeable Batteries, 143-162. CRC Press.
  Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena; Kempf, Alexander; Wilamowska-Zawłocka, Monika & Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena
  
• Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries. Advanced Technologies for Rechargeable Batteries, 110-142. CRC Press.
  Wilamowska-Zawłocka, Monika; Cymann-Sachajdak, Anita; Zarach, Zuzanna & Graczyk-Zajac, Magdalena
  
• Unraveling Na‐Ion Insertion Mechanisms in Polymer‐Derived SiCN(O) Ceramic via Operando Raman Spectroscopy. Batteries & Supercaps, 7(5).
  Melzi, d.'Eril Marco; Kempf, Alexander; De Carolis, Dario M.; Graczyk‐Zajac, Magdalena Joanna; Mera, Gabriela & Riedel, Ralf