A high-capacity and long-life aqueous rechargeable zinc battery using a porous metal–organic coordination polymer nanosheet cathode

Abstract

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have received increasing attention because of their low cost, environmental benefits and material abundance. However, the intercalation of zinc ions in the cathode materials is challenging and complex. To tackle the above-mentioned issue, we demonstrate an AZIBs system which consists of a porous metal–organic coordination polymers (MOCP) nanosheets cathode, a Zn foil anode, and a ZnSO₄/MnSO₄ solution electrolyte. The zinc cell delivers a high reversible capacity of 240.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 150 mA g⁻¹ and an excellent capacity retention of approximately 100% over 1500 cycles at 600 mA g⁻¹. The superior electrochemical performance is ascribed to the addition of MnSO₄, which results in the formation of MnO₂, and the MnO₂ can enhance the electrochemical performance of the AZIBs. The synergy effects between MOCP and MnO₂ may open new opportunities for the development of low-cost, high performance rechargeable aqueous batteries.