Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
10:03
Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Oxygen Electronic Configuration Modulation Triggering Reversible Anionic Redox Chemistry toward High Voltage Tolerant
Yi Zhang1, Jie Li1, Shihao Li1
1School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P. R. China.
Nano Letters
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Researchers enhanced sodium-ion battery cathodes by modulating electronic configurations. This strategy boosts specific capacity and cycling stability through reversible anionic redox reactions, improving battery performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- O3-type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 layered oxides are promising low-cost cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs).
- Insufficient specific capacity and challenges in balancing capacity with cycling stability hinder their practical application.
- Elevating charging cutoff voltage can trigger anionic redox reactions (ARR) to boost capacity, but often compromises stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for simultaneously enhancing specific capacity and cycling stability in O3-type layered oxide cathodes.
- To investigate the role of electronic configuration modulation in activating and stabilizing reversible anionic redox reactions.
- To mitigate detrimental phase transitions during deep desodiation in SIBs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a Na-O-Mg/Ti electronic configuration modulation strategy.
- Investigating the effects of tailored electronic configurations on σ and π hybridization.
- Analyzing the activation of lattice oxygen for charge compensation and regulation of oxygen oxidation depth.
- Evaluating the reversibility of anionic redox reactions and their impact on material stability.
Main Results:
- The Na-O-Mg/Ti configuration successfully weakened σ hybridization and enhanced π hybridization.
- This modulation activated more lattice oxygen for charge compensation and improved oxygen redox reversibility.
- Reversible anionic redox reactions were achieved, alleviating O-O repulsion and mitigating detrimental phase transitions.
- The modified material exhibited a synergistic enhancement in both specific capacity and cycling stability.
Conclusions:
- The proposed electronic configuration modulation strategy effectively enhances both capacity and cycling stability in O3-type cathodes.
- Reversible anionic redox reactions, driven by tailored electronic structures, are key to overcoming limitations in SIB cathode materials.
- This approach shows significant potential for developing high-performance, low-cost sodium-ion batteries.
Related Concept Videos
03:11Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
03:00Electrolysis
In a galvanic cell, the electrical work is done by a redox system on its surroundings as electrons produced by the spontaneous redox reactions are transferred through an external circuit. Alternatively, an external circuit does work on a redox system by imposing a voltage sufficient to drive an otherwise nonspontaneous reaction in a process known as electrolysis. For instance, recharging a battery involves the use of an external power source to drive the spontaneous (discharge) cell reaction in...
01:24Types of Reversible Electrodes
For electrode reversibility to be maintained, all the reactants and products involved in the half-reaction must be present at the electrode. There are several types of reversible electrodes (half-cells).In metal-metal-ion electrodes, a metal balances electrochemically with a solution of its own ions. Examples are Cu2+|Cu and Zn2+|Zn. Metals that react with the solvent, like group 1 and most group 2 metals, which react with water, and zinc, which reacts with aqueous acidic solutions, cannot be...
02:58Balancing Redox Equations
Electrochemistry is the science involved in the interconversion of electrical and chemical reactions. Such reactions are called reduction-oxidation, or redox reactions. These important reactions are defined by changes in oxidation states for one or more reactant elements and include a subset of reactions involving the transfer of electrons between reactant species. Electrochemistry as a field has evolved to yield sufficient insights on the fundamental principles of redox chemistry and multiple...
01:24Redox Reactions
Oxidation-reduction or redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule or atom to another. When an atom gains an electron, another atom must lose an electron, meaning oxidation and reduction must occur together. Since the redox occurs in pairs, the atom that gets oxidized is also called the reducing agent or reductant, and the atom that is reduced is also called the oxidizing agent or oxidant. A straightforward way to remember the definitions of oxidation and reduction is...
01:27Redox Reactions
Redox reactions are vital biochemical processes that underpin energy metabolism in cells. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules, occurring in tandem as oxidation and reduction. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction denotes their gain. This coupling ensures the seamless flow of electrons through metabolic pathways. For example, in bacterial metabolism, glucose undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide, while oxygen is simultaneously reduced to...