Synthesis of NASICON type materials and their application in batteries

The negative effects of fossil fuels to environmental and human health, which are used to supplying increased energy needs, have put the scientists in search of alternative energy sources. New energy storage areas have been needed to use renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy more efficiently. At the same time, the need for increased mobile accessibility has also increased the need for energy-efficient storage sites. The widespread use of electric vehicles in recent years has also increased competition in energy storage. Lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology is currently preferred energy storage technology for hybrid and fully electric vehicles. However, Lithium cost is steadily increasing, due to geographical and political constraints, the problems in recycling and day by day decreasing of Li reserve. Sodium metal comprises about 2.6% by weight of the earth's crust. Considering this rate, sodium is the sixth most abundant element and the first alkali metal. Thus, sodium is the best alternative to lithium due to its so similar chemical properties. For this reason, sodium ion battery field has been intensively re-studied over the past decade and show us that technologically it is practicable. In this study, the physical and chemical properties of NASICON structured NVP, P2-type NaMNF and NaMNC cathode materials prepared by sol-gel method were investigated by various analytical methods. In addition, the produced materials were electrochemically tested by placing in the CR2016 button-type battery as the positive electrode. The electrochemical test results demonstrate that the cathodes produced by the sol-gel method exhibit a good ectrochemical performance and confirm that produced cathodes really show promise for sodium ion batteries.