Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science have developed a method to improve the stability and performance of sodium-ion batteries by incorporating copper into the cathode material. This advancement addresses a common issue in β-phase sodium manganese oxide (β-NaMnO₂) electrodes, where structural defects known as stacking faults can degrade battery performance over time.
In their study, the team synthesized a series of copper-doped β-NaMnO₂ samples with varying copper concentrations. They observed that increasing the copper content significantly reduced the occurrence of stacking faults. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that these copper-doped electrodes exhibited enhanced capacity retention and cycling stability compared to undoped samples. Notably, the electrodes with higher copper content maintained their capacity over extended charge-discharge cycles, indicating a more durable and reliable battery performance.
This research offers valuable insights into developing more stable and long-lasting sodium-ion batteries, which could lead to more affordable and sustainable energy storage solutions for various applications, including consumer electronics and electric vehicles.