Nickel hexacyanoferrate, a versatile intercalation host for divalent ions from nonaqueous electrolytes

New energy storage chemistries based on Mg ions or Ca ions can theoretically improve both the energy density and reduce the costs of batteries. To date there has been limited progress in implementing these systems due to the challenge of finding a high voltage high capacity cathode that is compatible with an electrolyte that can plate and strip the elemental metal. In order to accelerate the discovery of such a system, model systems are needed that alleviate some of the issues of incompatibility. This report demonstrates the ability of nickel hexacyanoferrate to electrochemically intercalate Mg, Ca and Zn ions from a nonaqueous electrolyte. This material has a relatively high insertion potential and low overpotential in the electrolytes used in this study. Furthermore, since it is not an oxide based cathode it should be able to resist attack by corrosive electrolytes such as the chloride containing electrolytes that are often used to plate and strip magnesium. This makes it an excellent cathode for use in developing and understanding the complex electrochemistry of multivalent ion batteries. •Nickel hexacyanoferrate is shown to electrochemically insert Mg, Ca and Zn ions.•Intercalation voltages are 2.9 V, 2.6 V, and 1.2 V for Mg, Ca and Zn, respectively.•Changes to composition, structure, and iron oxidation state are observed.•The electrochemistry is reversible.