Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
10:03
Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Enhanced Performance by Zn-Substitution in Biphasic P2/P3-Na0.75Mn0.68Ni0.25Zn0.07O2
Yingling Liao1,2, Rachel Gordon1, Oxana V Magdysyuk1
1EaStCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, United Kingdom.
Chemistry of Materials : a Publication of the American Chemical Society
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Zinc substitution in sodium manganese nickel oxide cathodes improves stability and performance for sodium-ion batteries. This strategy enhances cycling reversibility and material durability, paving the way for advanced battery design.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Layered transition metal oxides are crucial cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.
- Optimizing their structural stability and electrochemical performance is essential for practical applications.
- Cation doping is a common strategy to tune material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize Zn-substituted NaxMnyNizO2 layered compounds.
- To investigate the effect of Zn substitution on crystal structure, phase composition, and electrochemical properties.
- To establish a correlation between synthesis conditions, doping, and material performance for sodium-ion battery cathodes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of P3, P2, and composite P2/P3 phases of Zn-substituted and unsubstituted NaxMnyNizO2.
- Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for structural analysis and phase identification.
- High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) for microstructural characterization.
- X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to probe electronic and local structural changes.
- Electrochemical testing (cycling performance, capacity retention) in half-cells.
Main Results:
- Synthesis temperature controlled the P2/P3 phase ratio.
- Zn substitution enhanced transition metal layer ordering and suppressed irreversible O and Mn activity.
- Electrochemical cycling stability and reversibility were significantly improved in Zn-substituted samples.
- The Zn-substituted P2/P3 phase exhibited excellent performance: 121 mAh g-1 initial capacity and 90% retention after 100 cycles.
Conclusions:
- Zn substitution is an effective strategy to enhance the stability and electrochemical performance of layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries.
- A clear link exists between cation doping, synthesis conditions, and resulting crystal phase compositions.
- This research offers a reliable approach for designing high-stability composite layered cathode materials.
Related Concept Videos
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
02:46Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...