Probing the Na metal solid electrolyte interphase via cryo-transmission electron microscopy

Bing Han, Yucheng Zou, Zhen Zhang, Xuming Yang, Xiaobo Shi, Hong Meng, Hong Wang, Kang Xu, Yonghong Deng () and Meng Gu ()
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Bing Han: Southern University of Science and Technology
Yucheng Zou: Southern University of Science and Technology
Zhen Zhang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Xuming Yang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Xiaobo Shi: Southern University of Science and Technology
Hong Meng: Peking University
Hong Wang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Kang Xu: US Army Research Laboratory
Yonghong Deng: Southern University of Science and Technology
Meng Gu: Southern University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) is a valuable tool recently proposed to investigate battery electrodes. Despite being employed for Li-based battery materials, cryo-TEM measurements for Na-based electrochemical energy storage systems are not commonly reported. In particular, elucidating the chemical and morphological behavior of the Na-metal electrode in contact with a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte solution could provide useful insights that may lead to a better understanding of metal cells during operation. Here, using cryo-TEM, we investigate the effect of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive on the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structure of a Na-metal electrode. Without FEC, the NaPF6-containing carbonate-based electrolyte reacts with the metal electrode to produce an unstable SEI, rich in Na2CO3 and Na3PO4, which constantly consumes the sodium reservoir of the cell during cycling. When FEC is used, the Na-metal electrode forms a multilayer SEI structure comprising an outer NaF-rich amorphous phase and an inner Na3PO4 phase. This layered structure stabilizes the SEI and prevents further reactions between the electrolyte and the Na metal.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23368-6

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