High-performance reversible aqueous Zinc-Ion battery based on Zn2+ pre-intercalation alpha-manganese dioxide nanowires/carbon nanotubes

Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted more and more attention due to the advantages of high safety, low cost, and environmental friendly in recent years. However, the lack of high-performance cathode materials and uncertain reaction mechanisms hinder the large-scale application of ZIBs. Herein, a 1D structure interlaced by ZnxMnO2 nanowires and carbon nanotubes is synthesized as cathode material for ZIB. The ZnxMnO2/CNTs cathode exhibits excellent specific capacity of 400 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 and outstanding long-cycle stability (with a capacity retention of 93% after 100 cycles at 1000 mA g-1), which indicates the Zn2+ pre-intercalation and composite carbon nanotubes can effectively change the storage space of the tunnel structure and increase the electron transmission rate. In addition, the energy storage mechanism of the highly reversible co-insertion of H+ and Zn2+ is further elaborated. This work has enlightenment and promotion for the future research of ZIBs cathode materials. Moreover, the simple preparation method, low cost and excellent performance of ZnxMnO2/CNTs cathode material provide a new way for the practical application of ZIBs.