Manganese-based MOF interconnected carbon nanotubes as a high-performance cathode for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted extensive attention due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, and high volumetric specific capacity. However, the design of cathode materials with high performance for ZIBs is quite limited. In this paper, a kind of manganese-based metal-organic framework/carbon nanotubes (Mn-MOF/CNT) composite is prepared as the cathode material for ZIBs via a one-pot in situ solvothermal method. Particularly, the assembled Mn-MOF/CNT//Zn battery exhibits high specific capacity (260 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1) and excellent capacity retention (approximately 100 %) after 900 cycles at 1000 mA g−1. This significant electrochemical performance is attributed to the high porosity and the high conductivity of Mn-MOF/CNT, as well as the Mn2+ electrolyte additive. This work renders a new sight to design high-performance MOF-based cathode materials for aqueous ZIBs.