The electrochemical performance of Cu2+-doped Na0.44MnO2 cathode material for aqueous sodium-ion battery
摘要
Aqueous sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to their cycling stability, safety, and environmental friendliness. However, structural instability of cathode materials limits cycle life, while the narrow electrochemical window constrains energy density. In this work, tunnel-type Cu-doped Na0.44MnO2 was synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state method. Cu doping suppresses Jahn–Teller (J-T) distortion by reducing the formation of J-T active Mn3+ and strengthening Mn–O bonds, thereby enhancing structural stability and extending cycle life. Simultaneously, Cu doping expands Na⁺ diffusion channels, mitigating irreversible strain and suppressing voltage decay during cycling. Na0.44Mn0.95Cu0.05O2 exhibits outstanding long-term cycling stability (99.5–100% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 5 C) and superior rate capability. The Na⁺ diffusion coefficient reaches 7.04 × 10−12 cm2 s−1, nearly an order of magnitude higher than that of undoped Na0.44MnO2 (8.89 × 10−13 cm2 s−1). The mechanisms of Cu doping in stabilizing lattice dynamics and ion transport are systematically discussed.