Synergistic Cu/Y co-doping stabilizes anionic redox and crystal structure in P2-type layered oxide cathode for...

P2-type layered oxide cathodes achieve high specific capacity through anionic redox reactions, yet their practical application is constrained by multiple interconnected challenges including irreversible oxygen loss, structural phase transitions, and Jahn-Teller distortion. To address these issues, a Cu²⁺/Y³⁺ synergistic co-doping strategy based on functional-spatial complementarity was proposed. In this design, Y³⁺ functions as a structural stabilizer preferentially occupying sodium layers to expand interlayer spacing and anchor the lattice framework, whereas Cu²⁺ serves as a redox-active center entering the transition metal layer to contribute capacity and regulate manganese valence distribution. The optimized Na_0.67Cu_0.2Fe_0.26Mn_0.53Y_0.01O₂ (NCFMY-2) material exhibited a high reversible capacity of 175.78 mAh g^-1, excellent cycling stability (80.24% capacity retention after 100 cycles), and favorable rate capability (126.62 mAh g^-1 at 2C). Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that Cu/Y co-doping synergistically elevates the average oxidation state of manganese, reinforces the transition metal-oxygen framework, and optimizes the sodium-oxygen bonding environment. Consequently, the reversibility of anionic oxygen redox reactions was significantly enhanced, hydrated phase transitions were effectively suppressed, and comprehensive improvement of structural stability and environmental tolerance was achieved. This study validates the synergistic optimization achieved through Cu/Y co-doping and advances a generalizable design principle for developing high-performance, highly stable layered oxide cathodes through rational integration of functionally complementary dopants.