Microwave assisted mechanochemical synthesis of Na0.67FeO2 as cathode material for sodium-ion batteries

Layered structured β-Na0.67FeO2 has been synthesized using mechanochemical method with microwave assisted heating. This modified approach of synthesis enabled formation of β-Na0.67FeO2 at much lower temperature (650 °C) and time (5h) than earlier reported. Structural characterization and phase identification was carried out using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirming the presence of desired phase with average crystallite size of 81 nm. Surface morphology and particle size were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Average particle size was calculated to be ∼277 nm with particles having irregular spherical morphology. Specific surface area of these particles was found to be s2.83 m2g−1 by BET method, with an average pore size of 36.88 nm.