Tuning lattice spacing in titanate nanowire arrays for enhanced sodium storage and long-term stability

Fabricating high-performance anode materials is of great significance for the realization of advanced Na-ion batteries (SIBs). Poor rate capability and insufficient cycle stability are two main scientific issues urgently needing to be solved for sodium titanate (NaxTiyOz) anodes. In this paper, protonated titanate nanowire arrays are designed rationally as novel additive-free anodes for SIBs. Results reveal that the protonated strategy can controllablly regulate the lattice interlayer spacing of the titanate, which can not only effectively facilitate the Na-ion migration but also suppress the side reaction and inhibit the irreversible trapping of Na-ions in the crystal framework, leading to fast Na-ion diffusion kinetics. Moreover, the protonated titanate material experiences smaller changes in lattice parameters and unit-cell volume during long-term cycling than those of non-protonated material, resulting in less mechanical stresses and capacity loss in an anode. As expected, the protonated titanate material exhibits superior rate performance and ultralong lifespan when utilized as free-standing anode for SIB, remaining 85% capacity retention after 8000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1 (~ 23 C). When assembled as full cell with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, high energy density (262.3 Wh kg−1) and power density (1748.9 W kg−1), excellent rate capability and superior cycle stability (260 cycles, 86%) can be achieved.