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Birnessite type layered manganese dioxides (δ-MnO2) have attracted considerable attention in recent years as 2D intercalation cathodes for rechargeable Li+, Na+, andMg2+ batteries due to fast ion diffusion through their negatively charged δ-MnO2 sheets separated by interlayer cations and a stable Mn3+/4+ redox couple. Here we report the preparation and electrochemistry of zero and divalent copper co-intercalated birnessite type manganese dioxide (Cu 0.030Cu 0.212+Na0.12MnO2 · 0.9H2O). The copper intercalated birnessite materials were fully characterized utilizing powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mixed valent nature of intercalated Cu0 and Cu2+ was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Electrochemical evaluation results show that zero valent copper intercalated birnessite exhibits higher discharge capability, improved cyclability, and lower impedance compared to the Cu2+ only intercalated (Cu0.26MnO2 · 1.0H2O) and Cu free Na birnessite (Na0.40MnO2 · 1.0H2O) materials. Remarkably, zero valent copper birnessite shows almost no fade after 10 cycles at 0.1 mV/s. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggest that charge transfer resistivity of Cu0 modified samples was much lower than that of Cu2+ and Cu free birnessite, indicating that the presence of a small amount of Cu0 improves the conductivity of birnessite and results in better electrochemical cyclability, rate capability, and lower impedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]