O3-NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 has attracted much attention as a cathode for sodium-ion batteries, because of its low cost and high sodium-ion storage capacity. However, its slow Na+ diffusion kinetics and harmful P3-O3' phase transition with severe bulk strain at high voltage leads to poor rate capability and fast capacity fading. Herein, we propose a multivariate doping strategy with Cu, Mg, and Ti ions to solve the above problems of the O3-NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode. The O3-Na(Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3)0.9Cu0.03Mg0.02Ti0.05O2 (NFMCMT) cathode exhibits enlarged Na+ diffusion channels and a strengthened layered structure, which improves the Na+ diffusion kinetics, suppresses the harmful P3-O3' phase transition at high voltages, and inhibits the intragranular fatigue cracks, leading to enhanced rate capability and cycling performance. As a result, the NFMCMT exhibits outstanding performance in the 2-4.1 V voltage window, delivers a discharge capacity of 151.2 mAh g-1 with the 81.5% capacity retention for 100 cycles at 0.1 C, and 83.1% capacity retention for 300 cycles at 5 C. Especially in the rate performance, the NFMCMT delivers a 115.6 mAh g-1 and 100.1 mAh g-1 discharge capacity even at 5 and 10 C. This work provides an effective multivariate doping strategy for development of high-performance layered oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries.
Keywords: Doping; Layered cathode; Na+ diffusion kinetics; Phase transition; Sodium-ion batteries.