Structural regulation of VS4 cathodes for enhanced aqueous zinc-ion battery performance

Abstract VS4 has garnered significant attentions in aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to its unique structural features and high theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, the volumetric changes and sluggish kinetics of VS4 during the electrochemical process often lead to material degradation and structural collapse, thereby limiting the performance of AZIBs. To address these challenges, we propose a structural engineering strategy for VS4 to regulate its microstructure through a simple hydrothermal method. This approach enhances the number of active sites and facilitates the diffusion of Zn2+ ions, thereby improving the electrochemical performance of VS4 in AZIBs. The AZIBs using VS4 flower (F-VS4) as the cathode material exhibit significantly enhanced electrochemical performance. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of F-VS4 is further elucidated by ex-situ XRD and XPS measurements. This work represents a significant step forward in the development of vanadium sulfide-based cathodes for AZIBs, offering a promising strategy to enhance their electrochemical performance and stability.