A heterobimetallic single-source precursor enabled layered oxide cathode for sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

A single-source precursor NaCo(acac)₃ (acac = acetylacetone) for layered oxide cathodes of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is reported here. It features a 1D chain structure, and is prepared in nearly quantitative yield employing commercially available reagents. The complex is stable in open air and tends to dissolve in various strongly polar solvents, including H₂O and methanol. The phase-pure layered oxide cathode material P2-Na_xCoO₂ for SIBs is obtained through calcining the complex, and exhibits an excellent rate capability, even superior to the recently reported P2-Na_xCoO₂ microspheres. More analogue complexes could be obtained through cationic replacement for the synthesis of other high-performance layered metal oxides for SIBs.