Identifying dual role electrode materials capable of storing both lithium and sodium are thought to be highly relevant, as these materials could find potential applications simultaneously in lithium and sodium ion batteries. In this regard, the concept of dual alkali storage is demonstrated in Fe(3)O(4) anode material undergoing conversion reaction. To enable improved storage, a rational active material and electrode design is proposed. Accordingly, the following features were simultaneously incorporated into the design: (i) an optimal particle size, (ii) a conducting matrix, (iii) adequately large active material surface area and (iv) strong electrode material-current collector integrity. Electrodes incorporating this rational design exhibit excellent high rate performance and impressive cyclability during lithium storage. For instance, Fe(3)O(4) electrodes deliver a charge capacity of 950 mAh g(-1) at 1.2 C (~2.6 times higher than graphite and 5.4 times higher than Li(4)Ti(5)O(12)). Further, these electrodes show no signs of capacity fade even up to 1100 cycles. Impressively, the cells could also be charged-discharged to 65% of their theoretical capacity in just 5 min or 12 C (11.11 A g(-1)). The rate performance and cyclability of lithium storage achieved here are amongst the highest reported values in the literature for the conversion reaction in Fe(3)O(4). Besides lithium storage, the dual role of this anode is shown by demonstrating its sodium storage ability by conversion reaction for the first time.

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We report here doping of Fe(2+) and/or Mg(2+) in LiMnPO4 cathode material to enhance its lithium storage performance and appraise the effect of doping. For this purpose, LiMn0.9Fe(0.1-x)MgxPO4/C (x = 0 and 0.05) and LiMn0.95Mg0.05PO4/C have been prepared by a ball mill assisted soft template method. These materials were prepared with similar morphology, particle size and carbon content. Amongst them, the isovalent co-doped LiMn0.9Fe0.05Mg0.05PO4/C sample shows better electrochemical performance compared to LiMn0.9Fe0.1PO4/C and LiMn0.95Mg0.05PO4/C samples. For instance, a lithium storage capacity of 159 mA h g(-1) is obtained at 0.1 C for LiMn0.9Fe0.05Mg0.05PO4/C material with a relatively low polarization of ~139 mV. This is in sharp contrast to LiMn0.9Fe0.1PO4/C and LiMn0.95Mg0.05PO4/C which show only 136.8 and 128.4 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C with the polarization of ~222 and 334 mV respectively. Further, the LiMn0.9Fe0.05Mg0.05PO4/C electrode delivers discharge capacities of 155.8, 141.4, 118.8, 104.6, 81.4 and 51.8 mA h g(-1) at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 C respectively. This electrode material also retains a capacity of 116 mA h g(-1) at 1 C after 200 cycles, which is 96% of its initial capacity. Such improved cycling stability of LiMn0.9Fe0.05Mg0.05PO4/C is attributed to the suppressed Mn dissolution in the electrolyte compared to the other samples. Further, during the Li extraction process, delithiated phases created from the Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) redox reaction (~3.45 V) favor enhanced electrochemical activity of the succeeding Mn(2+)/Mn(3+) redox couples. The fully charged state (4.6 V) contains a partially lithiated phase owing to the presence of electrochemically inactive Mg(2+). The presence of such lithiated phase provides a favourable environment for the subsequent lithium insertion process. We also observe improved electronic conductivity and Li-ion diffusion for the co-doped sample compared to LiMnPO4 doped with either Fe(2+) or Mg(2+) by impedance measurements. The improved storage performance of co-doped LiMnPO4 is thus explained in terms of (i) favorable extraction and insertion reactions and (ii) enhanced transport properties.

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