Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Magnesium Birnessite and Zinc Chalcophanite Prepared by a Low Temperature Route

Magnesium substituted birnessite and zinc chalcophanite have been synthesized through a novel procedure based on a combination of co-precipitation and metal ion intercalation techniques. The materials showed very promising performance as hosts for lithium intercalation. Upon galvanostatic discharge, Mg-birnessite and Zn-chalcophanite composite cathodes were able to intercalate more than two equivalents of lithium per mole.