Novel V2O3@N-C cathode for superior aqueous zinc-ion batteries via melamine foam templating

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are increasingly garnering attention due to their inherent safety features and the economic benefits of using metallic zinc. Among the promising cathode materials for AZIBs, V2O3-based compounds are extensively studied because of their unique tunnel structure and high energy density. However, the broader application of V2O3-based materials is hindered by several challenges, including sluggish reaction kinetics, poor cycling stability, and the lack of effective methods for large-scale synthesis. In response to these limitations, this study utilizes melamine foam as a self-sacrificing template to develop a V2O3@N-C cathode that aims to enhance the performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The resulting cathode benefits from the uniform dispersion of V2O3 nanoparticles and a trace carbon-coated structure enriched with oxygen vacancies, yielding significant reversible capacity (569.62 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 411.63 mA h g−1 at 20 A g−1) and superior cycling stability (369.66 mA h g−1 after 3200 cycles at 10 A g−1). Additionally, ex-situ characterization techniques have been employed to thoroughly investigate the zinc storage mechanism, offering novel insights for the development of high-performance cathode materials for AZIBs.