Electrochemical properties of room temperature sodium–air batteries with non-aqueous electrolyte

A novel type of rechargeable sodium–air battery working at room temperature is constructed and examined for the first time. The typical gravimetric capacities of the air electrodes (diamond-like carbon thin films) are 1884 mAh/g (565 μAh/cm2) at 1/10 C and 3600 mAh/g (1080 μAh/cm2) at 1/60 C, respectively, which are significantly superior to intercalation-based cathode materials for rechargeable sodium or lithium batteries ever reported. The electrochemical reaction of the sodium–air battery is investigated. The high reversible capacity and relevant high output voltage (about 2.3 V) of the room temperature sodium–air battery make it a potential alternative battery in the future.

► In this paper, we fabricated a novel type of rechargeable sodium–air battery.
► We examined the electrochemical properties of room temperature Na/air cell with non-aqueous electrolyte.
► We found large gravimetric capacities of the air electrodes of 1884 mAh/g at 1/10 C and 3600 mAh/g at 1/60 C.
► The electrochemical reaction of this sodium–air battery was investigated.
► This kind of Na/air battery is a potential alternative battery in the future.