Nitrogen-doped carbon-coating enables high-rate capability and long-cycle stability of NaCrO2 cathode for sodium-ion battery

A nitrogen-doped carbon-coated NaCrO2 cathode, designed to mitigate side reactions and enhance Na+ diffusion, demonstrates exceptional rate capability (95.6 mAh/g at 50C) and cycle stability (91.4% retention after 1000 cycles at 10C), advancing sodium-ion battery technology. [Display omitted] •The carbon and nitrogen coating layer can effectively reduce the surface impedance of the material and accelerate the diffusion of Na+.•The coating layer can inhibit the degradation of the crystal structure and suppress the electrode/electrolyte side reactions.•The nitrogen-doped carbon-coated NaCrO2 cathode exhibits an outstanding capacity of 95.6mAh/g at a high discharge rate of 50C. We report nitrogen-doped carbon-coating to increase rate capability and cycle stability of NaCrO2 cathode for sodium ion battery application. The nitrogen-doped carbon coating layer can effectively reduce electrode surface impedance and accelerate Na+ ion diffusion to allow high-rate performance. The coating layer can suppress the electrode/electrolyte side reactions and inhibit the degradation of NaCrO2, thereby markedly enhancing cathode cycling stability. Consequently, the NaCrO2 cathode exhibits a specific capacity of 95.6mAh/g at 50 C and a capacity retention of 91.4 % after 1000 cycles at 10 C.