High-performance Na-ion full-cells with P2-type Na0.67Mn0.5-xNixFe0.43Al0.07O2 cathodes: Cost analysis for stationary battery storage systems

Na-ion batteries are viable alternatives to Li-ion batteries especially for stationary applications. Developing suitable electrode materials, half-cell and full-cell studies and cost analysis are major steps and challenges for their commercialization. In this study, we report the synthesis of a promising cathode material, Na0.67Mn0.5-xNixFe0.43Al0.07O2 (x = 0.02–0.10 with Δx = 0.02), using a modified solid-state synthesis technique. The materials were heated at high temperature for 6 h in air and quenched in liquid N2. We determined the solubility limit of Ni in Na0.67Mn0.5Fe0.43Al0.07O2 as x ≤ 0.06. The interlayer separation increases with increasing Ni content due to the ionic radii difference between Mn and Ni. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements evidence the valance state of Ni in the x = 0.06 sample as 2+ and 3+. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis of the half-cells were performed at 10 °C, room temperature, and 50 °C to observe the effect of environmental temperature on redox mechanism. The highest half-cell capacity of the cells was determined as 181 mAh/g for x = 0.06 at C/3-rate. Artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation was performed on the hard carbon anode by presodiation technique and the full-cells of Na0.67Mn0.44Ni0.06Fe0.43Al0.07O2/hard carbon were assembled in CR2032 coin cells. The capacity values of the cells at C/2, C, and 2C-rate were determined as 131.4 mAh/g, 116 mAh/g and 100.8 mAh/g for the 1 cycle and 33 mAh/g, 40.6 mAh/g and 49.9 mAh/g for the 500th cycle, respectively. The cost analysis for the commercial package for stationary energy storage system was performed by BatPac program and results are discussed.