One-dimensional nanostructured design of Li1+x(Mn1/3Ni1/3Fe1/3)O2 as a dual cathode for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

Potency of the cathode material is an important feature for upgrading lithium-ion/sodium-ion battery technology for next-generation applications such as in electrical grids and advanced electric vehicles. Various limitations related to electrochemical and socio-economic issues of these batteries are current research challenges. Amongst the various possible solutions to address such issues, developing nanostructured cathode materials, such as one-dimensional nanostructures, by versatile and easily scaled-up processes could be one of the options. Consequently, in the present study, Li_1+x(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Fe_1/3)O₂ one-dimensional nanofibers have been fabricated via a simple and low-cost electrospinning technique and used as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries, which showed an improved initial reversible capacity (∼109 mA h g⁻¹) and cyclic stability at the 0.1 C rate when compared to the performance of Li_1+x(Mn_1/3Ni_1/3Fe_1/3)O₂ nanoparticles. On the other hand, the feasibility of this low-cost and eco-friendly material was also tested in sodium-ion batteries, and the same trend is observed. The enhanced electrochemical and structural features in both systems could be ascribed to the exceptional features of one-dimensional nanofibers such as efficient electron transport, facile strain relaxation, and short Li⁺/Na⁺ diffusion pathways.