Zero-Strain Na₂FeSiO₄ as Novel Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

A new cubic polymorph of sodium iron silicate, Na2FeSiO4, is reported for the first time as a cathode material for Na-ion batteries. It adopts an unprecedented cubic rigid tetrahedral open framework structure, i.e., F4̅3m, leading to a polyanion cathode material without apparent cell volume change during the charge/discharge processes. This cathode shows a reversible capacity of 106 mAh g(-1) and a capacity retention of 96% at 5 mA g(-1) after 20 cycles.