Construction of Na3V2(PO4)3/C nanoplate as cathode for stable sodium ion storage

NASICON type Na3V2(PO4)3, as a class of cathode material, have attracted much attention and achieved great success especially in case of sodium-ion battery. Herein, carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 nanoplates are fabricated through a solvothermal method combined with thermal treatment. The nanoplate structure and carbon-coated layer could bring several advantages; for example, the nanoplate structure can provide sufficient specific surface area to contact with electrolyte, leading to easy transmission of sodium ions. In addition, carbon coating could indeed increase the electrode conductivity and simultaneously restrain the volume expansion of Na3V2(PO4)3 electrode material during the intercalation/extraction of Na+ ions. Consequently, the carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 nanoplates exhibit impressive sodium storage performance with a high reversible capacity of 107 mAh g–1 at 1 C after 300 cycles and 91 mAh g–1 at 10 C after 2000 cycles.