Influence of Bi2O3 additive on the electrochemical performance of Na3.1Y0.1Zr1.9Si2PO12 inorganic solid electrolyte

Owing to the flammability of dendrites and organic liquid electrolytes, the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries cannot be effectively ensured. The sodium-ion solid electrolyte is anticipated to become the leading next generation battery in commercial applications due to the high thermal stability and low price. Yet, the insufficient ionic conductivity of Na3Zr2Si2PO12 solid electrolytes, along with the large interfacial resistance between the cathode material and the solid electrolyte, substantially restricts the performance of room-temperature all-solid-state sodium rechargeable batteries. In the present study, the effects of Bi2O3 additive on the phase, microstructure and ionic conductivity of Na3.1Y0.1Zr1.9Si2PO12 ceramic electrolyte are reported. Moreover, a significant room temperature conductivity of 1.21 × 10-3 S cm-1 and the dense microstructure was attained by adding 1 wt% Bi2O3 to Na3.1Y0.1Zr1.9Si2PO12 sintered at 1100 °C for 6 h. Simultaneously, an electrochemical test exhibited that the electrochemical stability window increased to 4.8 V and revealed good cycle stability.