Effect of additives on the high-temperature performance of a sodium bis(oxalato)borate in trimethyl phosphate electrolyte in sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their potential for lower cost and greater sustainability. However, achieving stable cycling performance, particularly at high mass-loadings and elevated temperatures, remains a challenge. The stable cycling of high mass-loading sodium-ion battery cells is here made possible by addition of prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES) to a non-flammable and fluorine-free electrolyte solution of sodium bis(oxalato)borate (NaBOB) salt in triethyl phosphate (TEP). This study investigates the thermal stability and electrochemical performance of such electrolyte at 40 °C and 55 °C, contrasting their performance with base NaBOB in TEP with and without ethylene sulfate (DTD) additive and with a reference carbonate electrolyte of NaPF6 in ethylene carbonate:diethylene carbonate (EC:DEC). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy was used to reveal degradation products formed in the electrolyte following a 4-weeks storage at 55 °C. Results from galvanostatic cycling at 55 °C demonstrated comparable performance of NaBOB–TEP + PES electrolyte and the reference carbonate electrolyte. The internal cell resistance was initially lower when cells were cycled at 55 °C than at 40 °C for all studied electrolytes.