Core–Shell Layered Oxide Cathode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries
Cheng Chen, Zhen Han, Shuangqiang Chen, Shuo Qi, Xinyue Lan, Chunchen Zhang, Lin Chen, Peng Wang, Weifeng Wei
Abstract
Sodium layered oxides are considered to be cathode candidates with the most potential for large-scale energy storage because of their high reversible capacity and wide availability of sodium resources. A significant hurdle to wide application of these layered oxides lies in simultaneously satisfying high-energy density and long cycle life because of the intrinsic problems associated with their structural irreversibility. Herein, a O3/O'3-P2 core-shell composite that integrates a high specific capacity from O-type Ni-based core and good structural stability from P2-type Mn-rich shell is presented. Multiscale electron microscopy and affiliated spectroscopy analyses reveal that, in addition to the microscale O3/O'3-P2 core-shell structure, a nanoscale coherent P2/O3 intergrown structure can also be identified in the composite. Such well-tailored structures not only constrain the structural damages (microscale cracks) induced by repeated volumetric changes upon desodiation and resodiation but also facilitate fast Na ions diffusion through the exterior P2-type layered structure. This work may provide new clues into the design of high-performance cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries.