Electrochemical Performance of NaFeFe(CN)₆Prepared by Solid Reaction for Sodium Ion Batteries

Commercially available Na 4 Fe(CN) 6 and Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 are two cheap compounds that have ever been investigated as positive electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries. However, poor electronic conductivity of Na 4 Fe(CN) 6 and sodium deficiency of Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 prevent these two materials from being used in practical rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. In this paper, a NaFeFe(CN) 6 cathode material was synthesized by ball milling the Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 / Na 4 Fe(CN) 6 mixture. The obtained NaFeFe(CN) 6 demonstrated a single cubic phase indexed to Fm3m space group similar to Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 but with larger lattice parameter due to the existence of Na + in the lattice framework. The NaFeFe(CN) 6 electrode delivered first desodiation capacity of 119.4 mAh g −1 and first sodiation capacity of 153.6 mAh g −1 at 0.05C rate. The NaFeFe(CN) 6 showed excellent cycling stability with reversible capacities of 118.2 mAh g −1 and 96.8 mAh g −1 at 0.1C and 1C rate, respectively. In-situ XRD analyses demonstrated a single cubic phase process during charge-discharge of NaFeFe(CN) 6 electrode. Low water content benefited from the solid reaction method and the homogenous single phase process during charge/discharge assured the stable long term cycling performance of the NaFeFe(CN) 6 product.