Graphene aerogel-supported Na3V2(PO4)3/C cathodes for sodium-ion batteries

Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) is a preferred cathode material for Na-ion batteries due to its good thermal stability and long cycle life, but its low electrical conductivity limits its use. The carbon coating method is widely available in the literature but can solve the problem to a limited extent. Graphene aerogel-based composite materials with lightweight, high surface area and 3-dimensional (3D) porous structure are prepared, and the properties are tried to be improved further. In this study, carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP/C) and graphene aerogel-carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 (GA-NVP/C) composite have been synthesized. The produced samples have been analyzed using Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, Thermal Gravity Analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Transmission electron microscopy. Then, the effect of graphene aerogel additive on electrochemical performances as cathode materials has been investigated. Even though GA-NVP/C and NVP/C have similar discharge capacities in the first cycle, GA-NVP/C shows high cycle stability when compared to NVP/C after 250 cycles. The GA-NVP/C cathode also has a higher discharge capacity than the NVP/C cathode at different current rates. The diffusion coefficient calculated using the cyclic voltammetry curve of GA-NVP/C is also high, supporting the graphene aerogel's positive results. In conclusion, we show that adding GA with a 3-dimensional porous structure greatly improves the electrochemical properties of the cathode in Na-ion batteries. [Display omitted] •The GA-NVP/C composite was synthesized for use as cathode in Na-ion batteries.•NVP/C powders were synthesized by solution evaporation method using citric acid as carbon source.•GA was used as the skeleton in the NVP/C structure.•The GA-NVP/C electrode exhibited improved rate performance and cycle stability due to GA supporting.