Sidorenkite (Na₃MnPO₄CO₃): A New Intercalation Cathode Material for Na-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Na-ion batteries represent an effective energy storage technology with slightly lower energy and power densities but potentially lower material costs than Li-ion batteries. Here, we report a new polyanionic intercalation cathode material of an unusual chemical class: sidorenkite (Na₃MnPO₄CO₃). This carbonophosphate compound shows a high discharge capacity (∼125 mAh/g) and specific energy (374 Wh/kg). <i>In situ</i> X-ray diffraction measurement suggests that sidorenkite undergoes a solid solution type reversible topotactic structural evolution upon electrochemical cycling. <i>Ex situ</i> solid state NMR investigation reveals that more than one Na per formula unit can be deintercalated from the structure, indicating a rarely observed two-electron intercalation reaction in which both Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ and Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ redox couples are electrochemically active