Electrochimica Acta, Vol.212, 934-940, 2016
Robust diamond-like Fe-Si network in the zero-strain NaxFeSiO4 cathode
Sodium orthosilicates Na2MSiO4 (M denotes transition metals) have attracted much attention due to the possibility of exchanging two electrons per formula unit. In this work, we report a group of sodium iron orthosilicates Na2FeSiO4. Their crystal structures are characterized by a diamond-like Fe-Si network. The Fe-Si network is quite robust against the charge/discharge process, which explains the high structural stability observed in experiment. Using the density functional theory within the GGA+U framework and X-ray diffraction studies, the crystal structures and structural stabilities during the sodium extraction/reinsertion process are systematically investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.