Sodium iron phosphate-pyrophosphate, Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) emerges as an excellent cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Because of lower electronic conductivity, its electrochemical performance depends drastically on the synthesis method. Herein, we provide a simple and unified method for synthesis of composites between NFPP and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and standard carbon black, designed as electrode materials for both sodium- and lithium-ion batteries. The carbon additives affect only the morphology and textural properties of the composites. The performance of composites in sodium and lithium cells is evaluated at elevated temperatures. It is found that NFPP/rGO outperforms NFPP/C in both Na and Li storage due to its hybrid mechanism of energy storage. In sodium half-cells, NFPP/rGO delivers a reversible capacity of 95 mAh/g at 20 °C and 115 mAh/g at 40 °C with a cycling stability of 95% and 88% at a rate of C/2. In lithium half-cells, the capacity reaches a value of 120 mAh/g at 20 and 40 °C, but the cycling stability becomes worse, especially at 40 °C. The electrochemical performance is discussed on the basis of ex situ XRD and microscopic studies. The good Na storage performance of NFPP/rGO at an elevated temperature represents a first step towards its commercialization.
Keywords: Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7; carbon composites; characterization; hybrid metal-ion batteries; lithium-ion batteries; rGO; sodium-ion batteries; structure; synthesis.