Enhanced NaFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₂/C Nanocomposite as a Cathode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as an alternative candidate in the field of energy storage applications. To achieve the commercial success of SIBs, the designing of active materials is highly important. O3-type layered-NaFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ (NFM) materials provide higher specific capacity along with Earth-abundance and low cost. Nevertheless, the material possesses some disadvantages, such as a low rate capability and severe capacity fading during cycling. To overcome such drawbacks, composite O3-type layered NFM with carbon has been prepared for the cathode electrode of SIBs through a facile solution combustion method followed by calcination process. The introduction of carbon sources into NFM material provides excellent electrochemical performances; moreover, the practical limitations of NFM material such as low electrical conductivity, structural degradation, and cycle life are effectively controlled by introducing carbon sources into the host material. The NFM/C-2 material delivers the specific charge capacities of 171, 178, and 166 mA h g^-1; and specific discharge capacities of 188, 169, and 162 mA h g^-1, in the first 3 cycles, respectively.