Zeolite Suppresses Mn Dissolution to Construct MnO2/Zn Cement-Based Batteries

Abstract Cement-based structural batteries offer an attractive pathway for integrating energy storage technologies into civil infrastructure. However, their practical application is severely constrained by capacity degradation caused by the dissolution of trivalent manganese (MnOOH) under alkaline conditions. This study proposes a zeolite-coated cathode strategy to suppress manganese dissolution, thereby achieving highly durable MnO2/Zn cement-based batteries. The zeolite porous framework complex traps free trivalent manganese ions [Mn(OH)6]3– and promotes uniform migration of OH– within the poly(vinyl alcohol)-cement matrix. The optimized MnO2 material enhances electrolyte wetting and reduces interfacial charge transfer resistance. The zeolite-induced effect enables the MnO2 electrode to exhibit highly reversible conversion reactions and stable morphological evolution during cycling. The assembled structural battery achieves high Coulombic efficiency and cycling stability, retaining 56.21% capacity after 300 cycles in the freshly prepared system and 77.09% capacity after 300 cycles following 28 days of cement curing. This study establishes a universal interfacial stabilization strategy through zeolite coating, opening promising avenues for developing energy-storage building materials suitable for long-life infrastructure.