Publication
Title
The role of the electrode surface in Na-Air batteries : insights in electrochemical product formation and chemical growth of
Author
Abstract
The Na-air battery, because of its high energy density and low charging overpotential, is a promising candidate for low-cost energy storage, hence leading to intensive research. However, to achieve such a battery, the role of the positive electrode material in the discharge process must be understood. This issue is herein addressed by exploring the electrochemical reduction of oxygen, as well as the chemical formation and precipitation of NaO2 using different electrodes. Whereas a minor influence of the electrode surface is demonstrated on the electrochemical formation of NaO2, a strong dependence of the subsequent chemical precipitation of NaO2 is identified. In the origin, this effect stems from the surface energy and O-2/O-2(-) affinity of the electrode. The strong interaction of Au with O-2/O-2(-) increases the nucleation rate and leads to an altered growth process when compared to C surfaces. Consequently, thin (3 mu m) flakes of NaO2 are found on Au, whereas on C large cubes (10 mu m) of NaO2 are formed. This has significant impact on the cell performance and leads to four times higher capacity when C electrodes with low surface energy and O-2/O-2(-) affinity are used. It is hoped that these findings will enable the design of new positive electrode materials with optimized surfaces.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Advanced energy materials. - Weinheim, 2011, currens
Publication
Weinheim : WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. , 2018
ISSN
1614-6832 [print]
1614-6840 [online]
DOI
10.1002/AENM.201701581
Volume/pages
8 :4 (2018) , 9 p.
Article Reference
1701581
ISI
000424152200009
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 06.03.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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