Olivine-Type MgMn0.5Zn0.5SiO4 Cathode for Mg-Batteries: Experimental Studies and First Principles Calculations

Abstract

Magnesium driven reaction in olivine-type MgMn0.5Zn0.5SiO4 structure is subject of study by experimental tests and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The partial replacement of Mn in Oh sites by other divalent metal such as Zn to get MgMn0.5Zn0.5SiO4 cathode is successfully developed by a simple sol–gel method. Its comparison with the well-known MgMnSiO4 olivine-type structure with (Mg)M1(Mn)M2SiO4 cations distribution serves as the basis of this study to understand the structure, and the magnesium extraction/insertion properties of novel olivine-type (Mg)M1(Mn0.5Zn0.5)M2SiO4 composition. This work foresees to extend the study to others divalent elements in olivine-type (Mg)M1(Mn0.5M0.5)M2SiO4 structure with M = Fe, Ca, Mg, and Ni by DFT calculations. The obtained results indicate that the energy density can be attuned between 520 and 440 W h kg−1 based on two properties of atomic weight and redox chemistry. The presented results commit to open new paths toward development of cathodes materials for Mg batteries.