Optimal synthesis and new understanding of P2-type Na2/3Mn1/2Fe1/4Co1/4O2 as an advanced cathode material in sodium-ion batteries with improved cycle stability

© 2017. A sol-gel method with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and citric acid as co-chelates is employed for the synthesis of P2-type Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 as cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Among the various calcination temperatures, the Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 with a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chu, S., Wei, S., Chen, Y., Cai, R., Liao, K., Zhou, W., Shao, Zongping
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier Science Ltd 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62673
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Summary:© 2017. A sol-gel method with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and citric acid as co-chelates is employed for the synthesis of P2-type Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 as cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Among the various calcination temperatures, the Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 with a pure P2-type phase calcined at 900°C demonstrates the best cycle capacity, with a first discharge capacity of 157mAhg -1 and a capacity retention of 91mAhg -1 after 100 cycles. For comparison, the classic P2-type Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/2 O 2 cathode prepared under the same conditions shows a comparable first discharge capacity of 150mAhg -1 but poorer cycling stability, with a capacity retention of only 42mAhg -1 after 100 cycles. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the introduction of cobalt together with sol-gel synthesis solves the severe capacity decay problem of P2-type Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/2 O 2 by reducing the content of Mn and slowing down the loss of Mn on the surface of the Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 , as well as by improving the activity of Fe 3+ and the stability of Fe 4+ in the electrode. This research is the first to demonstrate the origin of the excellent cycle stability of Na 2/3 Mn 1/2 Fe 1/4 Co 1/4 O 2 , which may provide a new strategy for the development of electrode materials for use in sodium-ion batteries.