ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Operando SANS investigation of the Na+ storage mechanisms in hard carbon anode in Na-ion batteries: reversibility of pore-filling and intercalation

Abstract: Our (Titirici group) research focuses on the engineering and design of hard carbon as an anode for SIBs. We synthesised high-performance hard carbon with a high reversible capacity of ~350 mAh g-1 with a long cycling life and a high retention rate of 86% after 520 days, which has surpassed the performance of the life span of LIBs. We are funded by the NEXGENNA programme in the Faraday Institution (UK) to further investigate the Na-ion storage mechanism using advanced characterisation techniques. Our previous SANS2D experiment confirmed the occurrence of reversible Na-ion pore-filling and, more intriguingly, showed indicative evidence of reversible Na-ion intercalation. The latter could indicate an unidentified mechanism suggesting higher stability of Na-graphite intercalation compounds (Na-GICs) in hard carbons than in graphite, raising a critical question over a potential shift between mechanisms of Na+ storage in various hard carbons and the relationship to their performances. Here we propose to carry out a close investigation on the reversibility of pore filling and intercalation, again using our operando electrochemical cells that was verified during our previous experiment (RB 2510661). Deuterated electrolyte will be provided by ISIS D-lab to ensure high purity and suppress side reactions between Na metal and the impurities. The cells will be cycled between 2.5V and 0.0V vs. Na+/Na, and a potentiostat will be brought to ISIS by the users.

Principal Investigator: Dr Zhenyu Guo
Experimenter: Dr Yuanzhu Zhao
Experimenter: Mr Yijun Yang
Experimenter: Dr Yi Zhang
Local Contact: Dr James Doutch

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610669

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2610669

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Zhenyu Guo et al; (2026): Operando SANS investigation of the Na+ storage mechanisms in hard carbon anode in Na-ion batteries: reversibility of pore-filling and intercalation, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610669

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.