NaZr₂P₃O₁₂ as a NASICON-type solid-state electrolyte: insights into synthesis, structure, and ionic conduction
摘要
NaZr₂P₃O₁₂ (NZP), a NASICON-type solid-state electrolyte, is investigated as a promising material for sodium-ion batteries. Synthesized via a scalable solid-state reaction, NZP exhibits a phase-pure, highly crystalline trigonal structure, confirmed by X-ray diffraction (lattice parameters: a = b = 8.793 Å, c = 22.716 Å). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals a robust ionic conductivity of 1.17 × 10⁻⁶ Ω−1 cm⁻1 at 673 K and a low activation energy of 0.32 eV, enabling efficient Na⁺ transport. This study uncovers a novel temperature-dependent shift in conduction mechanisms, from small-polaron tunneling below 520 K to correlated barrier hopping above 520 K, providing fresh insights into NZP’s ionic dynamics. Uniform morphology (via SEM) and complex relaxation dynamics (non-Debye behavior) further elucidate charge transport pathways dominated by grain effects. NZP’s thermal stability and cost-effective synthesis position it as a strong candidate for grid-scale sodium-ion batteries. These findings offer a clear framework for designing high-performance solid electrolytes, advancing sustainable energy storage.