A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) largely determines the electrochemical performance of negative electrodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Ether-based electrolytes, such as diglyme, have been shown to form a more stable and thinner SEI on sodium anodes than traditional commercial ester-based e...

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Main Authors: Liang Zhao, Sara I.R. Costa, Yue Chen, Jack R. Fitzpatrick, Andrew J. Naylor, Oleg Kolosov, Nuria Tapia-Ruiz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-07-01
Series:PRX Energy
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/jfvb-wp5w
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author Liang Zhao
Sara I.R. Costa
Yue Chen
Jack R. Fitzpatrick
Andrew J. Naylor
Oleg Kolosov
Nuria Tapia-Ruiz
author_facet Liang Zhao
Sara I.R. Costa
Yue Chen
Jack R. Fitzpatrick
Andrew J. Naylor
Oleg Kolosov
Nuria Tapia-Ruiz
author_sort Liang Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) largely determines the electrochemical performance of negative electrodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Ether-based electrolytes, such as diglyme, have been shown to form a more stable and thinner SEI on sodium anodes than traditional commercial ester-based electrolytes. Nonetheless, variations in the detailed evolution of the chemical composition and mechanical strength of the SEIs formed in these two electrolytic solutions during the electrochemical process have rarely been investigated. In this work, we conduct a comparative study of the SEI formed in diglyme-based and carbonate-based electrolytes with Na_{2}Ti_{3}O_{7} (NTO) as a proof-of-concept material, using energy-tuned photoelectron spectroscopy, operando electrochemical atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The results show that diglyme forms a thin, homogeneous, and stable SEI with a well-defined inorganic-organic bilayer structure, as opposed to ester-based electrolytes, which form a thicker, nonuniform, and dynamically changing SEI with randomly distributed inorganic-organic structure. Moreover, the less resistive and higher capacitive interfacial processes induced by the diglyme-based electrolyte decrease the overall battery impedance. These advantages enable the NTO anode to exhibit superior specific capacity, cycle stability, and rate capability. This study provides an in-depth view of the factors behind the electrolyte-dependent performance of SIB anodes, which could inform the design and pairing of electrolytes with electrode materials in rechargeable batteries.
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spelling doaj-art-fd91386bbf2c46ad8a71a0a2413760132025-08-20T03:13:07ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPRX Energy2768-56082025-07-014303300210.1103/jfvb-wp5wA Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion BatteriesLiang ZhaoSara I.R. CostaYue ChenJack R. FitzpatrickAndrew J. NaylorOleg KolosovNuria Tapia-RuizThe solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) largely determines the electrochemical performance of negative electrodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Ether-based electrolytes, such as diglyme, have been shown to form a more stable and thinner SEI on sodium anodes than traditional commercial ester-based electrolytes. Nonetheless, variations in the detailed evolution of the chemical composition and mechanical strength of the SEIs formed in these two electrolytic solutions during the electrochemical process have rarely been investigated. In this work, we conduct a comparative study of the SEI formed in diglyme-based and carbonate-based electrolytes with Na_{2}Ti_{3}O_{7} (NTO) as a proof-of-concept material, using energy-tuned photoelectron spectroscopy, operando electrochemical atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The results show that diglyme forms a thin, homogeneous, and stable SEI with a well-defined inorganic-organic bilayer structure, as opposed to ester-based electrolytes, which form a thicker, nonuniform, and dynamically changing SEI with randomly distributed inorganic-organic structure. Moreover, the less resistive and higher capacitive interfacial processes induced by the diglyme-based electrolyte decrease the overall battery impedance. These advantages enable the NTO anode to exhibit superior specific capacity, cycle stability, and rate capability. This study provides an in-depth view of the factors behind the electrolyte-dependent performance of SIB anodes, which could inform the design and pairing of electrolytes with electrode materials in rechargeable batteries.http://doi.org/10.1103/jfvb-wp5w
spellingShingle Liang Zhao
Sara I.R. Costa
Yue Chen
Jack R. Fitzpatrick
Andrew J. Naylor
Oleg Kolosov
Nuria Tapia-Ruiz
A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
PRX Energy
title A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
title_full A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
title_fullStr A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
title_full_unstemmed A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
title_short A Comparative Study of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution in Ether and Ester-Based Electrolytes for Na-ion Batteries
title_sort comparative study of solid electrolyte interphase evolution in ether and ester based electrolytes for na ion batteries
url http://doi.org/10.1103/jfvb-wp5w
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