Microwave synthesis of NaXMnO2 cathode materials for a sodium-ion battery

Abstract
Sodium manganese oxide for a cathode material of sodium-ion secondary battery was rapidly synthesized in 5–15 min by an improved microwave heating method with boron addition. Although prepared cathode materials included three types of NaXMnO2, it exhibited good electrochemical performance and delivered an initial discharge capacity of 200 mA h g−1 at second discharge. Electrochemical activation of β-NaMnO2 to α-NaMnO2 during charge–discharge process was indicated by X-ray diffraction results.