Stable structure and fast ion diffusion: N-doped VO2 3D porous nanoflowers for applications in ultrafast rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Kunyu Hao; Zhuwei Sheng; Pengcheng Qi; Yu Lu; Gaofu Liu; Mingyue Chen; Hao Wu; Yiwen Tang

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.109

Stable structure and fast ion diffusion: N-doped VO₂ 3D porous nanoflowers for applications in ultrafast rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023 Aug 15:644:275-284. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.109. Epub 2023 Apr 25.

Authors

Kunyu Hao¹, Zhuwei Sheng¹, Pengcheng Qi¹, Yu Lu¹, Gaofu Liu¹, Mingyue Chen¹, Hao Wu¹, Yiwen Tang²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Nano-Science and Technology, College of Physical Science and Technology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
² Institute of Nano-Science and Technology, College of Physical Science and Technology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address: ywtang@ccnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37120876
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.109

Abstract

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are promising candidates for fast-charging energy-storage systems. The issues of stronger interactions between Zn²⁺ and the cathode for ultrafast ARZIBs can be partially addressed by enhancing mass transfer and ion diffusion of the cathode. Herein, via thermal oxidation for the first time, N-doped VO₂ porous nanoflowers with short ion diffusion paths and improved electrical conductivity were synthesized as ARZIBs cathode materials. The introduction of nitrogen derived from the vanadium-based-zeolite imidazolyl framework (V-ZIF) contributes to enhanced electrical conductivity and faster ion diffusion, while the thermal oxidation of the VS₂ precursor assists the final product in exhibiting a more stable three-dimensional nanoflower structure. In particular, the N-doped VO₂ cathode shows excellent cycle stability and superior rate capability with the delivered capacities of 165.02 mAh g^-1 and 85 mAh g^-1, at 10 A g^-1 and 30 A g^-1, and the capacity retention of 91.4% after 2200 cycles and 99% after 9000 cycles, respectively. Remarkably, the battery takes less than 10 s to be fully charged at 30 A g^-1. Hence, this work provides a new avenue for designing unique nanostructured vanadium oxides and developing electrode materials suitable for ultrafast charging.

Keywords: N-doped; Thermal oxidation; Ultrafast charging; VO(2); VS(2); Zinc-ion batteries.