High Entropy Nasicon materials NaMNb(PO4)3 as anodes for sodium ion batteries: in situ diffraction analysis to track the electrode reaction

The design of highly performing anodes for Sodium Ion Batteries is a mandatory step for the commercialization of these devices. Here the study of new compositions of High Entropy Nasicon (NA Super Ionic CONductors) with formula NaMNb(PO4)3 with M = Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr Ti, V, W is proposed by means of synchrotron XRD techniques able to provide high intensity – high resolution data. The compositions have been designed with the purpose of obtaining large channels for Na diffusion and suitable band structure. The materials will be investigated under working conditions of the cell vs Na. This will allow for the i) phase evolution, ii) location of the Na sites, iii) characterization of the electrode reactions. Globally, the proposed experiment will help us to gain insight into the correlation of the structural aspects - functional properties on the present materials and possibly to the identification of guidelines to review our work and design new compositions with improved properties.