Sodium transition metal oxides (NaMO 2 ) with a P2 structure exhibit good Na + ion conductivity and are promising sodium-ion battery cathode materials. Manganese-based compounds have a high working potential vs. Na + /Na, and high capacity. Yet, the layered nature of these materials means that they are prone to structural rearrangements at high voltage/low Na contents, the phase transformations and Na + ion/vacancy ordering transitions resulting in capacity fade and poor reversibility. This review discusses the latest advances in the field and focuses mainly on recent work on Na y Mn 1-x M x O 2 (x, y ≤ 1, M = Ni, Mg, Li) compounds. We compare the different lithium and sodium transition metal layered oxides (P2, O3, etc.) and describe the structures and mechanisms observed on alkali (de)intercalation. The strategies used to enhance the electrochemical properties and stabilize the structural framework of sodium transition metal oxides are reviewed. We show how X-ray diffraction and 7 Li/ 23 Na solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance can be combined to provide a detailed insight into the structural and electronic processes occurring upon electrochemical cycling of these materials.
Why Are We Interested in Na-Ion Battery Cathodes?Together, the increasing demand for energy and the threat from Global Warming make electrical energy storage (EES) a world wide strategic priority. EES is expected to play a key role in the decarbonization of electric power sources. The two billion people worldwide not currently served by a reliable electricity supply are likely to be connected via local grids, for which EES is essential. While Li-ion batteries (LIBs) will play a role, a key challenge is to develop lower cost batteries that deliver safe, reliable storage with high cycle and calendar life. In this regard, Na-ion batteries (NIBs) are potentially important. NIBs operate in a similar fashion to LIBs, offering both advantages and disadvantages. Concerning the former, the ability to use Al instead of Cu as a current collector at the anode could substantially reduce cost. Na is also far more abundant in the Earth's crust than Li, and more widely distributed geographically. Regarding the disadvantages, the standard operating potential of Na metal is 300 mV more positive than Li metal. This generally translates into lower operating potentials for Na-ion systems, although the potential of a full cell depends on the difference in the chemical potentials of Na in the anode and cathode materials. There are considerable opportunities for scientists to develop new combinations of anode, electrolyte and cathode that are optimized for a variety of applications with different criteria such as high energy density, high power, and high operating potential. This has encouraged a rapid growth of interest in research into NIB components. Hard carbons show some promise as anodes, [1][2][3] but more must be done to improve performance. The cathode remains a major challenge and it is to this that we direct the current review. A comparative plot sho...