Excellent Rate Capability and Cycling Stability of Novel H₂V₃O₈ Doped with Graphene Materials Used in New Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Nanorods of H2V3O8 wrapped in graphene sheets were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and tested as the cathode in an aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion battery. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that H2V3O8 nanorods/graphene-523 K allows a rapid and reversible Zn2+ intercalation/extraction without the evolution of H2 and O2. The structure and composition of the composite graphene H2V3O8 nanorods [determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SEAD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)] offered excellent electrochemical performance including a high specific discharge capacity of 401 mAh g–1 at 200 mA g–1, a high rate capacity of 170 mAh g–1 at 2 A g–1, and prolonged cycling stability after 200 cycles. The addition of the graphene sheets increases the diffusion coefficient of the zinc ions by an order of magnitude. Five light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are successfully powered by the aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZBs) for more than 2 min to demonstrate the practical application. This work provides a creative choice for energy storage applications with low prices, green and environmental protection, and excellent safety.

Electrochemically Induced Phase Transition in V3O7 · H2O Nanobelts/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

“…It is composed of layers of corner‐sharing VO 6 octahedra and VO 5 square pyramids, where the layers interact through hydrogen bonding to the crystal water molecule, providing the position for the insertion and desertion of Zn 2+ . [ 10 ] Furthermore, the presence of two oxidation states of vanadium (V 4+ /V 5+ ) in V 3 O 7 ⬝ H 2 O improves the electronic conductivity compared to vanadium oxides with only one oxidation state, [ 11 ] due to the narrower bandgap (e.g., 2.0 eV for V 2 O 5 ; 1.0 eV for V 3 O 7 ). Most of the reported V 3 O 7 ⬝ H 2 O materials rely on a time‐consuming hydrothermal process taking days, [ 12 ] posing the demand for more efficient fabrication methods.…”

Understanding the Design Principles of Advanced Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery Cathodes: From Transport Kinetics to Structural Engineering, and Future Perspectives

“…[ 209 ] For the practical applications, many types of nonmetal atoms such as N, P, S, and O have been used as doping elements to prepare the modified electrode materials for AZIBs. [ 210 ] In particular, nonmetal heteroatom doping strategy is expected to effectively enhance the electrochemical performance of carbon‐based materials via tuning the surface properties and promoting the electronic conductivity.…”

Recent Progress in Layered Manganese and Vanadium Oxide Cathodes for Zn‐Ion Batteries

“…Spectroscopy analysis of the cathode material at different charged states confirmed that the mechanism of Zn 2+ storage involves reversible coinsertion of Zn 2+ ions and H 2 O molecules into the interlayer space between V 2 O 8 layers. Duan et al [ 169 ] reported the synthesis of H 2 V 3 O 8 nanorods/graphene AZIB cathode by hydrothermal treatment of a suspension of V 2 O 5 and graphene in acetone followed by annealing of the solid composite under argon atmosphere at 523 K. H 2 V 3 O 8 nanorods/graphene cathode demonstrated fast electrochemical storage of Zn 2+ ions and high structural stability during long cycling. This cathode displayed reversible specific capacities of 401 and 170 mAh g −1 at 0.2 and 2 A g −1 , respectively and prolonged cycling stability up to 200 cycles at 2 A g −1 .…”