A MXene Modulator Enabled High‐Loading Iodine Composite Cathode for Stable and High‐Energy‐Density Zn‐I₂ Battery

Abstract

Achieving both high iodine loading cathode and high Zn anode depth of discharge (DOD) is pivotal to unlocking the full potential of energy‐dense Zn‐I2 batteries. However, this combination exacerbates the detrimental shuttle effect of polyiodide intermediates, significantly impairing the battery's reversibility and stability. Herein, this study reports an advanced high‐loading iodine cathode (denoted as MX‐AB@I) enabled by a multifunctional Ti3C2Tx MXene modulator, which presents high stability and energy density in Zn‐I2 batteries. Through comprehensive experimental and theoretical analyses, the intrinsic regulating mechanisms are elucidated by which the MXene modulator effectively suppresses polyiodide shuttling, enhances iodine conversion kinetics, and dramatically improves Zn anode reversibility. With the aid of the MXene modulator, the MX‐AB@I composite cathode achieves a high iodine mass loading of 23 mg cm−2 and realizes a practically high areal capacity of 4.0 mAh cm−2. When paired with a thin Zn anode (10 µm), this configuration realizes a high Zn DOD of 78.7% and a high energy density of 171.3 Wh kg−1, surpassing the majority of Zn‐I2 battery systems reported in the literature. This study presents an effective approach to designing high‐loading iodine cathodes for Zn‐I2 batteries by leveraging MXene modulators to regulate critical electrochemical reaction processes.