SP@Bicrystalline-MnO2 as an advanced cathode for aqueous zinc-ion battery

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion battery (ZIB) using MnO2 as the cathode material have great potential for development due to its merits of high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, MnO2 cathode undergoes a dissolution-redeposition reaction mechanism, resulting in poor structural stability and cyclability. Herein, a ZIB cathode material (SP@Bicrystalline-MnO2) with two crystal forms structure of MnO2 and conductive carbon (super p, SP) was obtained. As the cathode material of zinc-ion battery with the electrolyte of 2 M ZnSO4 which containing no Mn2+, it exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 300 mAh g−1 and nearly 100% coulombic efficiency. This simple strategy has certain value for the market application of cathode materials for zinc-ion batteries.