A VS2@N-doped carbon hybrid with strong interfacial interaction for high-performance rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries

Abstract

Recently, rechargeable aqueous batteries have been regarded as a potential candidate for large-scale energy storage due to their intrinsic low cost, high operational safety, and environmental benignancy. Herein, we report an effective in situ hybridization method to prepare spindle-like vanadium disulfide (VS₂) nanocrystals on a nitrogen doped carbon (N-doped carbon) layer (VS₂@N–C) and systematically explore its electrochemical property as the cathode material for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion (Zn-ion) batteries. Benefiting from the strong interfacial interaction between VS₂ and N-doped carbon, the resulting cathode shows an outstanding specific capacity of 203 mA h g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹ and displays impressive long-term cycling stability with a capacity retention of 97% after 600 cycles at 1000 mA g⁻¹. The mechanisms involved were clarified by ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. This study provides a new prospect for developing better cathodes for aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries.