In situ constructing heterogeneous Mn(VO3)2/NaVO3 nanoribbons as high-performance cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are emerging as a promising candidate, enjoying accolades for their safety, low cost, and ease of operation. However, some challenges like the slow kinetics and structural collapse of cathode materials hamper their rate capability and cyclability. To address these limitations, a heterogeneous Mn(VO3)2/NaVO3 (MNVO) nanoribbon hybrid was designed as high-performance cathodes for zinc storage. Owing to the heterointerface between Mn(VO3)2 and NaVO3 boosting the charge-transfer kinetics and leading to enhanced zinc diffusion kinetics, the MNVO exhibits a high specific capacity of 381.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, high rate capability (286.7 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1), and excellent electrochemical kinetics. Additionally, the MNVO cathode exhibits stable cyclability (a high-capacity retention rate of 95.7% at 1 A g−1 after 200 cycles) and excellent long-term cyclability (a high-capacity retention of 83.0% after 2000 cycles). Moreover, the zinc storage mechanism of co-intercalation of Zn2+ and H2O into the host of MNVO were investigated by ex situ XRD and XPS characterizations. Our work offers new insight and understanding into the development of high-performance cathode materials through constructing heterogeneous structure.