High Na+ Mobility in rGO Wrapped High Aspect Ratio 1D SbSe Nano Structure Renders Better Electrochemical Na+ Battery Performance

Abstract

We chose to understand the cyclic instability and rate instability issues in the promising class of Na+ conversion and alloying anodes with Sb2Se3 as a typical example. We employ a synthetic strategy that ensures efficient rGO (reduced graphene oxide) wrapping over Sb2Se3 material. By utilization of the minimum weight of additive (5 wt.% of rGO), we achieved a commendable performance with a reversible capacity of 550 mAh g−1 at a specific current of 100 mA g−1 and an impressive rate performance with 100 % capacity retention after high current cycling involving a 2 Ag−1 intermediate current step. The electrochemical galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) has been employed for the first time to draw a rationale between the enhanced performance and the increased mobility in the rGO wrapped composite (Sb2Se3‐rGO) compared to bare Sb2Se3. GITT analysis reveals higher Na+ diffusion coefficients (approx. 30 fold higher) in the case of Sb2Se3‐rGO as compared to bare Sb2Se3 throughout the operating voltage window. For Sb2Se3‐rGO the diffusion coefficients in the range of 8.0×10−15 cm2 s−1 to 2.2×10−12 cm2 s−1 were observed, while in case of bare Sb2Se3 the diffusion coefficients in the range of 1.6×10−15 cm2 s−1 to 9.4×10−15 cm2 s−1 were observed.