Defected vanadium bronzes as superb cathodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries

• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03394d
• Publication Date: 2020-06-26T03:43:30Z
• Authors: Jianwei Li; Ningjing Luo; Feng Wan; Siyu Zhao; Zhuangnan Li; Wenyao Li; Jian Guo; Paul R. Shearing; Dan J. L. Brett; Claire J. Carmalt; Guoliang Chai; Guanjie He; Ivan P. Parkin
• Keywords: Zn ion battery; 660; F200 - Materials science; F200 Materials Science; 02 engineering and technology; 540; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

There is a growing need for fast, efficient, safe, and low-cost energy storage. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) may be able to address this need, but suffer from fast capacity fade poor ion diffusion kinetics due unstable structures non-optimised interspacing of layered cathode materials. Herein, we propose structural engineering strategy by synergistically inducing anionic defects cationic groups within vanadium bronze improve boost capacity. The materials discovered used as the cathodes in AZIBs showed high 435 mA h g-1 at current density 0.2 A excellent stability with 95% retention after 1500 cycles 10 g-1. This combined experimental computational study systemically indicated that rapid Zn2+ storage was achieved both highly porous structure enlarged d-spacing improved electron conductivity determined states calculations. modification bronze-type controlled pre-intercalated species tailored oxygen deficiency opens up an avenue realization superior material design, whose feasibility proved work.