Synergistic internal-external disorder to activate electrochemically inert maricite NaFePO4
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Abstract
NaFePO4 (NFP) is a promising alternative to LiFePO4, offering advantages such as the abundance of natural sodium resources. However, its common crystal phase, maricite, is typically electrochemically inert. This study presents a novel, synthesis-controllable, and rechargeable maricite NFP cathode material, specifically Na0.33Fe0.95Ca0.06PO4, for sodium-ion batteries. The structure provides two main benefits: Ca2+ doping broadens the bulk sodium-ion transport channels, while the dynamic and persistent Jahn-Teller distortion caused by the coexistence of Fe4+, Fe3+, and Fe2+ induces internal lattice distortion, effectively activating its electrochemical activity. Additionally, nanocrystallization introduces external structural disorder, further shortening the ion diffusion path. This cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of
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Hu, W.; Dong, S.; Zhang, Y.; Tang, B.; Wu, Y.; Tang, Y.; Li, J.; Liu, L.; Zhou, Z. Synergistic internal-external disorder to activate electrochemically inert maricite NaFePO4. Energy Mater. 2026, 6, 600129. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2026.173
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