FeNb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub> as a High-Performance Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries Enabled by Structural Amorphization Coupled with NbO<sub>6</sub> Local Ordering.
Unlock the power of FeNb2O6 - a game-changing anode for sodium-ion batteries! This columbite-structured iron niobate boasts amorphous regions and ordered NbO6 planes, enabling high capacity, fast kinetics, and exceptional rate performance.
This study explores FeNb2O6 as a high-performance anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The researchers found that the presence of iron triggers the loss of long-range order, creating an amorphous phase that can reversibly store sodium. Simultaneously, the formation of short-range ordered zigzag-chain structures within the NbO6 planes offers abundant active sites for pseudocapacitive ion storage and enhanced ion diffusion pathways. These unique structural features enable FeNb2O6 to deliver a reversible capacity over 300 mAh g-1, a favorable average voltage of ~0.6 V, and excellent rate capability of 180.4 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1. This study provides valuable insights into the development of intrinsically active transition metal oxides for sodium-ion intercalation, paving the way for the advancement of sodium-ion battery technology.