Defect Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Polyanionic Cathodes : A Theoretical Roadmap for Na-ion based Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors

Sammanfattning: In this thesis, the framework of the density functional theory is employed to study and predict properties of polyanionic cathodes for Na-ion batteries and hybrid supercapacitors. It consists of three main parts as follows:The first part is primarily dedicated to kröhnkite-type Na2Fe(SO4)22H2O cathode. The major goal is to probe diffusion mechanisms of Na+ ions.  The chemical potentials diagrams for the pentrary compound are determined under thermodynamic equilibrium and are used to calculate pH value for solution-based synthesis. We find that the presence of NaFe facilitates a faster migration and reduces the channel blockage issue. Moreover, the defect concentration can be tuned by controlling the pH condition. We conclude that defects and small hole polarons play a role in ionic and electronic conductivity.The second part focuses on alluaudite-type Na2+2δFe2-δ(SO4)3 (NFSδ). We unveil the effect of the non-stoichiometry on the thermodynamics, defect nature, and voltage profiles NFSδ with δ = 0, 0.25 and 0.5. The relation between Na ion distribution and energetics is studied and reveals the necessity of using a supercell model. Chemical potential diagrams indicate an inevitable impurity precipitation in all cases, but can be reduced at low δ. Defect formation analysis shows an unlikely formation of channel blockage and can explain the impurity precipitation in experiment. Two types of phase transition are observed after half-desodiation. A higher degree of non-stoichiometry offers an improvement in specific capacity and structural reversibility for NFS0.25 and NFS0.5. The voltage profiles and formation energy reveal the Na intercalation mechanism and strategy to enhance the specific capacity.The third part is associated with battery-type cathodes used in hybrid supercapacitors, namely the NaMPO4 and MMoO4 (where M is a transition metal). We find that triphylite NaNiPO4 shows a better electrochemical performance as compared to maricite phase due to the merit of intercalation mechanism. A mixed-NaMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4 is predicted to show faradaic behavior, mainly contributed from the Ni and Mn redox reactions, along with an improved electronic conductivity. Moreover, the effect of M substitution on phase stability, electronic properties and charge transfer is also studied in MMoO4 with M = Mn, Co and Ni. The highest capacitance is predicted for NiMoO4 amongst the others and is attributed to the higher active surface area. To compromise the capacitance and cycling stability, Mn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3MoO4 is synthesized. We predict its crystal structure by using the SQS method. Based on electronic structure, we can identify a source of the improved cycling efficiency and specific capacitance of this mixed compound.