Leveraging the Amorphous Nature of Sn–P Alloys for Improved Stability and Energy Density in Na‐Ion Batteries
ABSTRACT Developing alternative anode materials is a key route to improve the volumetric energy density of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Here, Sn–P alloys with varying Sn/P atomic ratios are systematically evaluated as Na‐alloy anodes. Among them, SnP 3 outperforms all other alloys and offers the best balance between cost, volumetric capacity and cycling stability. SnP 3 can be made in either amorphous or crystalline forms. Crystalline SnP 3 becomes amorphous on sodiation and remains amorphous during cycling. Amorphous Na x SnP 3 shows a solid‐solution‐type and highly reversible sodiation/desodiation behavior, demonstrating exceptional cycling performance and structural stability. As comparison, the crystalline Sn 4 P 3 phase dealloys to Sn and a phosphorus containing phase upon repeated sodiation/desodiation, showing rapid capacity decay and severe particle pulverization. These findings highlight amorphous SnP 3 as a promising high‐energy‐density anode material for SIBs and provide valuable insights into how an amorphous structure influences Na‐alloy behavior.
Authors
- J. R. Dahn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6997-2436)
- Animesh Dutta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9995-807X)
- Nafiseh Zaker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1280-4922)
- Michel Johnson
- Chongyin Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7127-3087)
- Libin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7754-483X)
- Ziwei Ye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7421-2893)
- Babak Shalchi-Amirkhiz
- Changlong Chen
- Yixiang Zhang
- Ben Tang
Institutions
- Natural Resources Canada (CA)
- Dalhousie University (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Published
- 2026-06-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.71228
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada