Nanocrystalline MgMnSiO₄ and MgCoSiO₄ particles for rechargeable Mg-ion batteries

Magnesium-ion batteries hold promise as next-generation secondary battery systems owing to its low cost, safety and high volumetric capacity. Magnesium metal silicates exhibit potential electrode materials with high specific capacities. However, the strong electrostatic interaction between Mg²⁺ and host lattice due to its divalency as well as antisite cation exchange, induces slow intercalation kinetics of Mg ions within the crystal lattices. Thus, nanocrystalline particles with shortened Mg ion diffusion distance enable the insertion/extraction of Mg ions and improve specific capacities of the batteries. Herein, we report the low-temperature production of crystalline MgMnSiO₄ and MgCoSiO₄ nanoparticles by a rapid supercritical fluid processing. The extraction of magnesium ions from the olivine framework has been confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing its ability as active materials for magnesium-ion battery.