Valid design and evaluation of cathode and anode materials of aqueous zinc ion batteries with high-rate capability and cycle stability

Abstract

Although non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries have a high gravimetric density, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have recently been in the spotlight as an alternative, because ZIBs have characteristics such as high volumetric density, high ionic conductivity, eco-friendliness, low cost, and high safety. However, the improvement in electrochemical performance is limited due to insufficient rate capability and severe cycle fading of the vanadium-oxide-based cathode and zinc-metal-based anode material, which are frequently used as active materials for ZIBs. In addition, complex methods are required to prepare high-performance cathode and anode materials. Therefore, a simple yet effective strategy is needed to obtain high-performance anodes and cathodes. Herein, an ammonium vanadate nanofiber (AVNF) intercalated with NH₄⁺ and H₂O as a cathode material for ZIBs was synthesized within 30 minutes through a facile sonochemical method. In addition, an effective Al₂O₃ layer of 9.9 nm was coated on the surface of zinc foil through an atomic layer deposition technique. As a result, AVNF//60Al₂O₃@Zn batteries showed a high rate capability of 108 mA h g⁻¹ even at 20 A g⁻¹, and exhibited ultra-high cycle stability with a capacity retention of 94% even after 5000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g⁻¹.