Nanosize Cation‐Disordered Rocksalt Oxides: Na2TiO3–NaMnO2 Binary System

To realize the development of rechargeable sodium batteries, new positive electrode materials without less abundant elements are explored. Enrichment of sodium contents in host structures is required to increase the theoretical capacity as electrode materials, and therefore Na‐excess compounds are systematically examined in a binary system of Na₂TiO₃–NaMnO₂. After several trials, synthesis of Na‐excess compounds with a cation disordered rocksalt structure is successful by adapting a mechanical milling method. Among the tested electrode materials, Na_1.14Mn_0.57Ti_0.29O₂ in this binary system delivers a large reversible capacity of ≈200 mA h g^?1, originating from reversible redox reactions of cationic Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ and anionic O^2?/O^n? redox confirmed by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. Holes in oxygen 2p orbitals, which are formed by electrochemical oxidation, are energetically stabilized by electron donation from Mn ions. Moreover, reversibility of anionic redox is significantly improved compared with a former study on a binary system of Na₃NbO₃–NaMnO₂ tested as model electrode materials.     

Role of Redox‐Inactive Transition‐Metals in the Behavior of Cation‐Disordered Rocksalt Cathodes

Owing to the capacity boost from oxygen redox activities, Li‐rich cation‐disordered rocksalts (LRCDRS) represent a new class of promising high‐energy Li‐ion battery cathode materials. Redox‐inactive transition‐metal (TM) cations, typically d⁰ TM, are essential in the formation of rocksalt phases, however, their role in electrochemical performance and cathode stability is largely unknown. In the present study, the effect of two d⁰ TM (Nb⁵⁺ and Ti⁴⁺) is systematically compared on the redox chemistry of Mn‐based model LRCDRS cathodes, namely Li_1.3Nb_0.3Mn_0.4O₂ (LNMO), Li_1.25Nb_0.15Ti_0.2Mn_0.4O₂ (LNTMO), and Li_1.2Ti_0.4Mn_0.4O₂ (LTMO). Although electrochemically inactive, d⁰ TM serves as a modulator for oxygen redox, with Nb⁵⁺ significantly enhancing initial charge storage contribution from oxygen redox. Further studies using differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy and resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering reveal that Ti⁴⁺ is better in stabilizing the oxidized oxygen anions (O^n?, 0 < n < 2), leading to a more reversible O redox process with less oxygen gas release. As a result, much improved chemical, structural and cycling stabilities are achieved on LTMO. Detailed evaluation on the effect of d⁰ TM on degradation mechanism further suggests that proper design of redox‐inactive TM cations provides an important avenue to balanced capacity and stability in this newer class of cathode materials.     

O3‐Type Layered Ni‐Rich Oxide: A High‐Capacity and Superior‐Rate Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Inspired by its high‐active and open layered framework for fast Li⁺ extraction/insertion reactions, layered Ni‐rich oxide is proposed as an outstanding Na‐intercalated cathode for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries. An O3‐type Na_0.75Ni_0.82Co_0.12Mn_0.06O₂ is achieved through a facile electrochemical ion‐exchange strategy in which Li⁺ ions are first extracted from the LiNi_0.82Co_0.12Mn_0.06O₂ cathode and Na⁺ ions are then inserted into a layered oxide framework. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism of layered Ni‐rich oxide during Na⁺ extraction/insertion is investigated in detail by combining ex situ X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. As an excellent cathode for Na‐ion batteries, O3‐type Na_0.75Ni_0.82Co_0.12Mn_0.06O₂ delivers a high reversible capacity of 171 mAh g^?1 and a remarkably stable discharge voltage of 2.8 V during long‐term cycling. In addition, the fast Na⁺ transport in the cathode enables high rate capability with 89 mAh g^?1 at 9 C. The as‐prepared Ni‐rich oxide cathode is expected to significantly break through the limited performance of current sodium‐ion batteries.     

Full Activation of Mn4+/Mn3+ Redox in Na4MnCr(PO4)3 as a High‐Voltage and High‐Rate Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Developing high‐voltage cathode materials is critical for sodium‐ion batteries to boost energy density. NASICON (Na super‐ionic conductor)‐structured Na_xMnM(PO₄)₃ materials (M represents transition metal) have drawn increasing attention due to their features of robust crystal framework, low cost, as well as high voltage based on Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ and Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ redox couples. However, full activation of Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ redox couple within NASICON framework is still a great challenge. Herein, a novel NASICON‐type Na₄MnCr(PO₄)₃ material with highly reversible Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ redox reaction is discovered. It proceeds a two‐step reaction with voltage platforms centered at 4.15 and 3.52 V versus Na⁺/Na, delivering a capacity of 108.4 mA h g^?1. The Na₄MnCr(PO₄)₃ cathode also exhibits long durability over 500 cycles and impressive rate capability up to 10 C. The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) test shows fast Na diffusivity which is further verified by density functional theory calculations. The high electrochemical activity derives from the 3D robust framework structure, fast kinetics, and pseudocapacitive contribution. The sodium storage mechanism of the Na₄MnCr(PO₄)₃ cathode is deeply studied by ex situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), revealing that both solid‐solution and two‐phase reactions are involved in the Na⁺ ions extraction/insertion process.     

Direct Visualization of the Reversible O2−/O− Redox Process in Li‐Rich Cathode Materials

Conventional cathodes of Li‐ion batteries mainly operate through an insertion–extraction process involving transition metal redox. These cathodes will not be able to meet the increasing requirements until lithium‐rich layered oxides emerge with beyond‐capacity performance. Nevertheless, in‐depth understanding of the evolution of crystal and excess capacity delivered by Li‐rich layered oxides is insufficient. Herein, various in situ technologies such as X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy are employed for a typical material Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂, directly visualizing O^?? O^? (peroxo oxygen dimers) bonding mostly along the c‐axis and demonstrating the reversible O^2?/O^? redox process. Additionally, the formation of the peroxo O? O bond is calculated via density functional theory, and the corresponding O? O bond length of ≈1.3 Å matches well with the in situ Raman results. These findings enrich the oxygen chemistry in layered oxides and open opportunities to design high‐performance positive electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries.     

Rational Design of Na(Li1/3Mn2/3)O2 Operated by Anionic Redox Reactions for Advanced Sodium‐Ion Batteries

In an effort to develop high‐energy‐density cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), low‐cost, high capacity Na(Li_1/3Mn_2/3)O₂ is discovered, which utilizes the labile O 2p‐electron for charge compensation during the intercalation process, inspired by Li₂MnO₃ redox reactions. Na(Li_1/3Mn_2/3)O₂ is systematically designed by first‐principles calculations considering the Li/Na mixing enthalpy based on the site preference of Na in the Li sites of Li₂MnO₃. Using the anionic redox reaction (O^2?/O^?), this Mn‐oxide is predicted to show high redox potentials (≈4.2 V vs Na/Na⁺) with high charge capacity (190 mAh g^?1). Predicted cathode performance is validated by experimental synthesis, characterization, and cyclic performance studies. Through a fundamental understanding of the redox reaction mechanism in Li₂MnO₃, Na(Li_1/3Mn_2/3)O₂ is designed as an example of a new class of promising cathode materials, Na(Li_1/3M_2/3)O₂ (M: transition metals featuring stabilized M⁴⁺), for further advances in SIBs.     

Exposing {010} Active Facets by Multiple‐Layer Oriented Stacking Nanosheets for High‐Performance Capacitive Sodium‐Ion Oxide Cathode

As one of the most promising cathodes for rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), O3‐type layered transition metal oxides commonly suffer from inevitably complicated phase transitions and sluggish kinetics. Here, a Na[Li_0.05Ni_0.3Mn_0.5Cu_0.1Mg_0.05]O₂ cathode material with the exposed {010} active facets by multiple‐layer oriented stacking nanosheets is presented. Owing to reasonable geometrical structure design and chemical substitution, the electrode delivers outstanding rate performance (71.8 mAh g^?1 and 16.9 kW kg^?1 at 50C), remarkable cycling stability (91.9% capacity retention after 600 cycles at 5C), and excellent compatibility with hard carbon anode. Based on the combined analyses of cyclic voltammograms, ex situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and operando X‐ray diffraction, the reaction mechanisms behind the superior electrochemical performance are clearly articulated. Surprisingly, Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ and Cu²⁺/Cu³⁺ redox couples are simultaneously involved in the charge compensation with a highly reversible O3–P3 phase transition during charge/discharge process and the Na⁺ storage is governed by a capacitive mechanism via quantitative kinetics analysis. This optimal bifunctional regulation strategy may offer new insights into the rational design of high‐performance cathode materials for SIBs.     

Ti‐Substituted NaNi0.5Mn0.5‐xTixO2 Cathodes with Reversible O3−P3 Phase Transition for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as potential candidates for stationary energy storage because of the low cost and wide availability of Na sources. O3‐type layered oxides have been considered as one of the most promising cathodes for SIBs. However, they commonly show inevitable complicated phase transitions and sluggish kinetics, incurring rapid capacity decline and poor rate capability. Here, a series of sodium‐sufficient O3‐type NaNi_0.5Mn_{0.5‐ x} Ti _x O₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) cathodes for SIBs is reported and the mechanisms behind their excellent electrochemical performance are studied in comparison to those of their respective end‐members. The combined analysis of in situ X‐ray diffraction, ex situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy for NaNi_0.5Mn_0.2Ti_0.3O₂ reveals that the O3‐type phase transforms reversibly into a P3‐type phase upon Na+ deintercalation/intercalation. The substitution of Ti for Mn enlarges interslab distance and could restrain the unfavorable and irreversible multiphase transformation in the high voltage regions that is usually observed in O3‐type NaNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂, resulting in improved Na cell performance. This integration of macroscale and atomicscale engineering strategy might open up the modulation of the chemical and physical properties in layered oxides and grasp new insight into the optimal design of high‐performance cathode materials for SIBs.     

N‐Doped C@Zn3B2O6 as a Low Cost and Environmentally Friendly Anode Material for Na‐Ion Batteries: High Performance and New Reaction Mechanism

Na‐ion batteries (NIBs) are ideal candidates for solving the problem of large‐scale energy storage, due to the worldwide sodium resource, but the efforts in exploring and synthesizing low‐cost and eco‐friendly anode materials with convenient technologies and low‐cost raw materials are still insufficient. Herein, with the assistance of a simple calcination method and common raw materials, the environmentally friendly and nontoxic N‐doped C@Zn₃B₂O₆ composite is directly synthesized and proved to be a potential anode material for NIBs. The composite demonstrates a high reversible charge capacity of 446.2 mAh g^?1 and a safe and suitable average voltage of 0.69 V, together with application potential in full cells (discharge capacity of 98.4 mAh g^?1 and long cycle performance of 300 cycles at 1000 mA g^?1). In addition, the sodium‐ion storage mechanism of N‐doped C@Zn₃B₂O₆ is subsequently studied through air‐insulated ex situ characterizations of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and is found to be rather different from previous reports on borate anode materials for NIBs and lithium‐ion batteries. The reaction mechanism is deduced and proposed as: Zn₃B₂O₆ + 6Na⁺ + 6e^? ? 3Zn + B₂O₃ ? 3Na₂O, which indicates that the generated boracic phase is electrochemically active and participates in the later discharge/charge progress.     

Fast Capacitive Energy Storage and Long Cycle Life in a Deintercalation–Intercalation Cathode Material

Ni‐rich Li‐ion cathode materials promise high energy density, but are limited in power density and cycle life, resulting from their poor dynamic characteristics and quick degradation. On the other hand, capacitor electrode materials promise high power density and long cycle life but limited capacities. A joint energy storage mechanism of these two kinds is performed in the material‐compositional level in this paper. A valence coupling between carbon π‐electrons and O^2? is identified in the as‐prepared composite material, using a tracking X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy strategy. Besides delivering capacity simultaneously from its LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ and capacitive carbon components with impressive amount and speed, this material shows robust cycling stability by preventing oxygen emission and phase transformation via the discovered valence coupling effect. Structural evolution of the composite shows a more flattened path compared to that of the pure LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, revealed by the in situ X‐ray diffraction strategy. Without obvious phase transformation and losing active contents in this composite material, long cycling can be achieved.     

In Situ Encapsulating α‐MnS into N,S‐Codoped Nanotube‐Like Carbon as Advanced Anode Material: α → β Phase Transition Promoted Cycling Stability and Superior Li/Na‐Storage Performance in Half/Full Cells

Incorporation of N,S‐codoped nanotube‐like carbon (N,S‐NTC) can endow electrode materials with superior electrochemical properties owing to the unique nanoarchitecture and improved kinetics. Herein, α‐MnS nanoparticles (NPs) are in situ encapsulated into N,S‐NTC, preparing an advanced anode material (α‐MnS@N,S‐NTC) for lithium‐ion/sodium‐ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). It is for the first time revealed that electrochemical α → β phase transition of MnS NPs during the 1st cycle effectively promotes Li‐storage properties, which is deduced by the studies of ex situ X‐ray diffraction/high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and electrode kinetics. As a result, the optimized α‐MnS@N,S‐NTC electrode delivers a high Li‐storage capacity (1415 mA h g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1), excellent rate capability (430 mA h g^?1 at 10 A g^?1), and long‐term cycling stability (no obvious capacity decay over 5000 cycles at 1 A g^?1) with retained morphology. In addition, the N,S‐NTC‐based encapsulation plays the key roles on enhancing the electrochemical properties due to its high conductivity and unique 1D nanoarchitecture with excellent protective effects to active MnS NPs. Furthermore, α‐MnS@N,S‐NTC also delivers high Na‐storage capacity (536 mA h g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1) without the occurrence of such α → β phase transition and excellent full‐cell performances as coupling with commercial LiFePO₄ and LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ cathodes in LIBs as well as Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F cathode in SIBs.     

A High‐Capacity O2‐Type Li‐Rich Cathode Material with a Single‐Layer Li2MnO3 Superstructure

A high capacity cathode is the key to the realization of high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries. The anionic oxygen redox induced by activation of the Li₂MnO₃ domain has previously afforded an O3‐type layered Li‐rich material used as the cathode for lithium‐ion batteries with a notably high capacity of 250–300 mAh g^?1. However, its practical application in lithium‐ion batteries has been limited due to electrodes made from this material suffering severe voltage fading and capacity decay during cycling. Here, it is shown that an O2‐type Li‐rich material with a single‐layer Li₂MnO₃ superstructure can deliver an extraordinary reversible capacity of 400 mAh g^?1 (energy density: ≈1360 Wh kg^?1). The activation of a single‐layer Li₂MnO₃ enables stable anionic oxygen redox reactions and leads to a highly reversible charge–discharge cycle. Understanding the high performance will further the development of high‐capacity cathode materials that utilize anionic oxygen redox processes.     

High‐Energy/Power and Low‐Temperature Cathode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries: In Situ XRD Study and Superior Full‐Cell Performance

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are still confronted with several major challenges, including low energy and power densities, short‐term cycle life, and poor low‐temperature performance, which severely hinder their practical applications. Here, a high‐voltage cathode composed of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F nano‐tetraprisms (NVPF‐NTP) is proposed to enhance the energy density of SIBs. The prepared NVPF‐NTP exhibits two high working plateaux at about 4.01 and 3.60 V versus the Na⁺/Na with a specific capacity of 127.8 mA h g^?1. The energy density of NVPF‐NTP reaches up to 486 W h kg^?1, which is higher than the majority of other cathode materials previously reported for SIBs. Moreover, due to the low strain (≈2.56% volumetric variation) and superior Na transport kinetics in Na intercalation/extraction processes, as demonstrated by in situ X‐ray diffraction, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique, and cyclic voltammetry at varied scan rates, the NVPF‐NTP shows long‐term cycle life, superior low‐temperature performance, and outstanding high‐rate capabilities. The comparison of Ragone plots further discloses that NVPF‐NTP presents the best power performance among the state‐of‐the‐art cathode materials for SIBs. More importantly, when coupled with an Sb‐based anode, the fabricated sodium‐ion full‐cells also exhibit excellent rate and cycling performances, thus providing a preview of their practical application.     

In Situ Formation of a Cathode–Electrolyte Interface with Enhanced Stability by Titanium Substitution for High Voltage Spinel Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Although LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) high‐voltage spinel is a promising candidate for a next generation cathode material, LNMO/graphite full cells experience severe capacity fading caused by degradation reactions at electrode/electrolyte interfaces and consequent active Li⁺ loss in the cells. In this study, it is first reported that in situ formation of a Ti–O enriched cathode/electrolyte interfacial (CEI) layer on a Ti‐substituted LiNi_0.5Mn_1.2Ti_0.3O₄ (LNMTO) spinel cathode effectively mitigates electrolyte oxidation and transition metal dissolution, which improves the Coulombic efficiency and cycle life of LNMTO/graphite full cells. The Ti–O enriched CEI layer is produced in situ during an initial cycling of LNMTO as a result of selective Mn and Ni dissolution at its surface, as evidenced by various surface characterizations using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, and synchrotron‐based soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The Ti–O enriched CEI has an advantage over traditional LNMO powder coatings, namely the formation of conformal CEI without compromising electronic conduction pathways between cathode particles.     

A New Type of Li‐Rich Rock‐Salt Oxide Li2Ni1/3Ru2/3O3 with Reversible Anionic Redox Chemistry

Li‐rich oxide cathodes are of prime importance for the development of high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Li‐rich layered oxides, however, always undergo irreversible structural evolution, leading to inevitable capacity and voltage decay during cycling. Meanwhile, Li‐rich cation‐disordered rock‐salt oxides usually exhibit sluggish kinetics and inferior cycling stability, despite their firm structure and stable voltage output. Herein, a new Li‐rich rock‐salt oxide Li₂Ni_1/3Ru_2/3O₃ with Fd‐3m space group, where partial cation‐ordering arrangement exists in cationic sites, is reported. Results demonstrate that a cathode fabricated from Li₂Ni_1/3Ru_2/3O₃ delivers a large capacity, outstanding rate capability as well as good cycling performance with negligible voltage decay, in contrast to the common cations disordered oxides with space group Fm‐3m. First principle calculations also indicate that rock‐salt oxide with space group Fd‐3m possesses oxygen activity potential at the state of delithiation, and good kinetics with more 0‐TM (TM = transition metals) percolation networks. In situ Raman results confirm the reversible anionic redox chemistry, confirming O^2?/O^? evolution during cycles in Li‐rich rock‐salt cathode for the first time. These findings open up the opportunity to design high‐performance oxide cathodes and promote the development of high‐energy LIBs.     

Construction of Bimetallic Selenides Encapsulated in Nitrogen/Sulfur Co‐Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres for High‐Performance Sodium/Potassium‐Ion Half/Full Batteries

Metallic selenides have been widely investigated as promising electrode materials for metal‐ion batteries based on their relatively high theoretical capacity. However, rapid capacity decay and structural collapse resulting from the larger‐sized Na⁺/K⁺ greatly hamper their application. Herein, a bimetallic selenide (MoSe₂/CoSe₂) encapsulated in nitrogen, sulfur‐codoped hollow carbon nanospheres interconnected reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO@MCSe) are successfully designed as advanced anode materials for Na/K‐ion batteries. As expected, the significant pseudocapacitive charge storage behavior substantially contributes to superior rate capability. Specifically, it achieves a high reversible specific capacity of 311 mAh g^?1 at 10 A g^?1 in NIBs and 310 mAh g^?1 at 5 A g^?1 in KIBs. A combination of ex situ X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy tests reveals the phase transition of rGO@MCSe in NIBs/KIBs. Unexpectedly, they show quite different Na⁺/K⁺ insertion/extraction reaction mechanisms for both cells, maybe due to more sluggish K⁺ diffusion kinetics than that of Na⁺. More significantly, it shows excellent energy storage properties in Na/K‐ion full cells when coupled with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂O₂F and PTCDA@450 °C cathodes. This work offers an advanced electrode construction guidance for the development of high‐performance energy storage devices.     

Suppressing Surface Lattice Oxygen Release of Li‐Rich Cathode Materials via Heterostructured Spinel Li4Mn5O12 Coating

Lithium‐rich layered oxides with the capability to realize extraordinary capacity through anodic redox as well as classical cationic redox have spurred extensive attention. However, the oxygen‐involving process inevitably leads to instability of the oxygen framework and ultimately lattice oxygen release from the surface, which incurs capacity decline, voltage fading, and poor kinetics. Herein, it is identified that this predicament can be diminished by constructing a spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ coating, which is inherently stable in the lattice framework to prevent oxygen release of the lithium‐rich layered oxides at the deep delithiated state. The controlled KMnO₄ oxidation strategy ensures uniform and integrated encapsulation of Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ with structural compatibility to the layered core. With this layer suppressing oxygen release, the related phase transformation and catalytic side reaction that preferentially start from the surface are consequently hindered, as evidenced by detailed structural evolution during Li⁺ extraction/insertion. The heterostructure cathode exhibits highly competitive energy‐storage properties including capacity retention of 83.1% after 300 cycles at 0.2 C, good voltage stability, and favorable kinetics. These results highlight the essentiality of oxygen framework stability and effectiveness of this spinel Li₄Mn₅O₁₂ coating strategy in stabilizing the surface of lithium‐rich layered oxides against lattice oxygen escaping for designing high‐performance cathode materials for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries.     

Carbon‐Coated Na3.32Fe2.34(P2O7)2 Cathode Material for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries are proposed as the most appropriate alternative to lithium batteries due to the fast consumption of the limited lithium resources. Due to their improved safety, polyanion framework compounds have recently gained attention as potential candidates. With the earth‐abundant element Fe being the redox center, the uniform carbon‐coated Na_3.32Fe_2.34(P₂O₇)₂/C composite represents a promising alternative for sodium‐ion batteries. The electrochemical results show that the as‐prepared Na_3.32Fe_2.34(P₂O₇)₂/C composite can deliver capacity of ≈100 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 120 mA g^?1), with capacity retention of 92.3% at 0.5 C after 300 cycles. After adding fluoroethylene carbonate additive to the electrolyte, 89.6% of the initial capacity is maintained, even after 1100 cycles at 5 C. The electrochemical mechanism is systematically investigated via both in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and density functional theory calculations. The results show that the sodiation and desodiation are single‐phase‐transition processes with two 1D sodium paths, which facilitates fast ionic diffusion. A small volume change, nearly 100% first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency, and a pseudocapacitance contribution are also demonstrated. This research indicates that this new compound could be a potential competitor for other iron‐based cathode electrodes for application in large‐scale Na rechargeable batteries.     

KTi2(PO4)3 Electrode with a Long Cycling Stability for Potassium‐Ion Batteries

In this work, rhombohedral KTi₂(PO₄)₃ is introduced to investigate the related theoretical, structural, and electrochemical properties in K cells. The suggested KTi₂(PO₄)₃ modified by electro‐conducting carbon brings about a flat voltage profile at ≈1.6 V, providing a large capacity of 126 mAh (g‐phosphate)^?1, corresponding to 98.5% of the theoretical capacity, with 89% capacity retention for 500 cycles. Structural analyses using electrochemical performance measurements, first‐principles calculations, ex situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and operando X‐ray diffraction provide new insights into the reaction mechanism controlling the (de)intercalation of potassium ions into the host KTi₂(PO₄)₃ structure. It is observed that a biphasic redox process by Ti^4+/3+ occurs upon discharge, whereas a single‐phase reaction followed by a biphasic process occurs upon charge. Along with the structural refinement of the electrochemically reduced K₃Ti₂(PO₄)₃ phase, these new findings provide insight into the reaction mechanism in Na superionic conductor (NASICON)‐type KTi₂(PO₄)₃. The present approach can also be extended to the investigation of other NASICON‐type materials for potassium‐ion batteries.     

Revealing the Simultaneous Effects of Conductivity and Amorphous Nature of Atomic‐Layer‐Deposited Double‐Anion‐Based Zinc Oxysulfide as Superior Anodes in Na‐Ion Batteries

Although sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are considered promising alternatives to their Li counterparts, they still suffer from challenges like slow kinetics of the sodiation process, large volume change, and inferior cycling stability. On the other hand, the presence of additional reversible conversion reactions makes the metal compounds the preferred anode materials over carbon. However, conductivity and crystallinity of such materials often play the pivotal role in this regard. To address these issues, atomic layer deposited double‐anion‐based ternary zinc oxysulfide (ZnOS) thin films as an anode material in SIBs are reported. Electrochemical studies are carried out with different O/(O+S) ratios, including O‐rich and S‐rich crystalline ZnOS along with the amorphous phase. Amorphous ZnOS with the O/(O+S) ratio of ≈0.4 delivers the most stable and considerably high specific (and volumetric) capacities of 271.9 (≈1315.6 mAh cm^?3) and 173.1 mAh g^?1 (≈837.7 mAh cm^?3) at the current densities of 500 and 1000 mA g^?1, respectively. A dominant capacitive‐controlled contribution of the amorphous ZnOS anode indicates faster electrochemical reaction kinetics. An electrochemical reaction mechanism is also proposed via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. A comparison of the cycling stability further establishes the advantage of this double‐anion‐based material over pristine ZnO and ZnS anodes.