Enhancing the kinetics of vanadium oxides via conducting polymer and metal ions co-intercalation for high-performance aqueous zinc-ions batteries

Aqueous zinc-ions batteries with low cost, reliable safety, high theoretical specific capacity and eco-friendliness have captured conspicuous attention in large-scale energy storage. However, the developed cathodes often suffer from low electrical conductivity and sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, which severely hampers the development of aqueous zinc-ions batteries. Herein, we successfully prepare Mg/PANI/V2O5•nH2O (MPVO) nanosheets through conducting polymers (polyaniline) and metal ions (Mg2+) co-intercalated strategy and systematically explore its electrochemical performance as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Benefitting from the synergistic effect of polyaniline and Mg2+ co-intercalated, the MPVO exhibits larger interlayer spacing and higher electrical conductivity than the single guest intercalation, which significantly enhances the electrochemical kinetics. As a consequence, the MPVO cathodes deliver superior specific capacity, rate capability and long-term cycling performance. Moreover, multiple characterizations and theoretical calculations are executed to expound the relevant mechanism.Therefore, this work provides a novel thought for the design of high-performance cathode materials for aqueous ZIBs.