LAUSR

Abstract Sodium super ionic conductor (NASICON)-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) has been an impressive and popular cathode candidate for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we report the modification of the NVP surface with nitrogen-doped carbon (NC), derived from the natural polymer chitosan. Nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 microspheres (NC/NVP-MS) are successfully synthesized using a facile solution evaporation method, followed by calcination. The NC/NVP-MS presents a specific discharge capacity of 114 mAh g-1 for the first cycle, and a capacity retention of 93.8% at a current rate of 0.1 C with a columbic efficiency of 99% after the 100th cycle. Moreover, even at elevated temperature, NC/NVP-MS maintains a specific discharge capacity of 90 mAh g-1 at the 50th cycle. NC/NVP-MS effectively enhances the overall electrochemical performance by providing improved conductivity and a protective layer on NVP against the surface side reactions from electrolyte decomposition.