A 3.90 V iron-based fluorosulphate material for lithium-ion batteries crystallizing in the triplite structure

Li-ion batteries have empowered consumer electronics and are now seen as the best choice to propel forward the development of eco-friendly (hybrid) electric vehicles. To enhance the energy density, an intensive search has been made for new polyanionic compounds that have a higher potential for the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple. Herein we push this potential to 3.90 V in a new polyanionic material that crystallizes in the triplite structure by substituting as little as 5 atomic per cent of Mn for Fe in Li(Fe1-delta Mn delta)SO4F. Not only is this the highest voltage reported so far for the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple, exceeding that of LiFePO4 by 450 mV, but this new triplite phase is capable of reversibly releasing and reinserting 0.7-0.8 Li ions with a volume change of 0.6% (compared with 7 and 10% for LiFePO4 and LiFeSO4F respectively), to give a capacity of similar to 125 mA h g(-1).