Realizing a High‐Performance Na‐Storage Cathode by Tailoring Ultrasmall Na ₂FePO ₄F Nanoparticles with Facilitated Reaction Kinetics

Abstract

In this paper, the synthesis of ultrasmall Na ₂FePO ₄F nanoparticles (≈3.8 nm) delicately embedded in porous N‐doped carbon nanofibers (denoted as Na ₂FePO ₄F@C) by electrospinning is reported. The as‐prepared Na ₂FePO ₄F@C fiber film tightly adherent on aluminum foil features great flexibility and is directly used as binder‐free cathode for sodium‐ion batteries, exhibiting admirable electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity (117.8 mAh g ⁻¹ at 0.1 C), outstanding rate capability (46.4 mAh g ⁻¹ at 20 C), and unprecedentedly high cyclic stability (85% capacity retention after 2000 cycles). The reaction kinetics and mechanism are explored by a combination study of cyclic voltammetry, ex situ structure/valence analyses, and first‐principles computations, revealing the highly reversible phase transformation of Na ₂Fe ^IIPO ₄F ↔ NaFe ^IIIPO ₄F, the facilitated Na ⁺ diffusion dynamics with low energy barriers, and the desirable pseudocapacitive behavior for fast charge storage. Pouch‐type Na‐ion full batteries are also assembled employing the Na ₂FePO ₄F@C nanofibers cathode and the carbon nanofibers anode, demonstrating a promising energy density of 135.8 Wh kg ⁻¹ and a high capacity retention of 84.5% over 200 cycles. The distinctive network architecture of ultrafine active materials encapsulated into interlinked carbon nanofibers offers an ideal platform for enhancing the electrochemical reactivity, electronic/ionic transmittability, and structural stability of Na‐storage electrodes.