K2Mn[Mn(CN)6] is synthesized, characterized,
and evaluated as possible positive electrode material in nonaqueous
Li-, Na-, and K-ion batteries. This compound belongs to the rich and
versatile family of hexacyanometallates displaying distinctive structural
properties, which makes it interesting for ion insertion purposes.
It can be viewed as a perovskite-like compound in which CN-bridged
Mn(CN)6 octahedra form an open framework structure with
sufficiently large diffusion channels able to accommodate a variety
of insertion cations. By means of galvanostatic cycling and cyclic
voltammetry tests in nonaqueous alkali metal half-cells, it is demonstrated
that this material is able to reversibly host Li+, Na+, and K+ ions via electrochemical insertion/deinsertion
within a wide voltage range. The general electrochemical features
are similar for all of these three ion insertion chemistries. An in
operando X-ray diffraction investigation indicates that the original
monoclinic structure is transformed into a cubic one during charging
(i.e., removal of cations from the host framework) and that such a
process is reversible upon subsequent cell discharge and cation reuptake.