Sodium-ion
batteries (SIBs) can develop cost-effective and safe
energy storage technology for substantial energy storage demands.
In this work, we have developed manganese oxide (α-MnO
2
) nanorods for SIB applications. The crystal structure, which is
crucial for high-performance energy storage, is examined systematically
for the metal oxide cathode. The intercalation of sodium into the
α-MnO
2
matrix was studied using the theoretical density
functional theory (DFT) studies. The DFT studies predict Na ions’
facile diffusion kinetics through the MnO
2
lattice with
an attractively low diffusion barrier (0.21 eV). When employed as
a cathode material for SIBs, MnO
2
showed a moderate capacity
(109 mAh·g
–1
at C/20 current rate) and superior
life cyclability (58.6% after 800 cycles) in NaPF
6
/EC+DMC
(5% FEC) electrolyte. It shows a much higher capacity of 181 mAh·g
–1
(C/20 current rate) in NaClO
4
/PC (5% FEC)
electrolyte, though it suffers fast capacity fading (11.5% after 800
cycles). Our findings show that high crystallinity and hierarchical
nanorod morphology of the MnO
2
are responsible for better
cycling performance in conjunction with fast and sustained charge-discharge
behaviors.