A heterogeneous CuV2O6@2D-V2CTx MXene nanohybrid as a cathode material for high-capacity and stable aqueous Zn-ion batteries

Abstract

The development of a high-rate capability and long cycling life cathode material for Zn-ion batteries is significantly limited due to the low electrical conductivity of the cathode material. Herein, we have developed a high-capacity and highly stable promising cathode material for Zn-ion batteries by directly growing CuV₂O₆ nanowires on 2D-V₂CT_x MXene nanosheets. This composite architecture exhibits faster charge diffusion and increased electrical conductivity, which leads to better rate performance and longer cycling life. The CuV₂O₆–V₂CT_x nanohybrid displays a high specific capacity of 410 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1C rate and a long cycle stability of 1000 cycles at 0.5C rate with a capacity retention of 88% when compared to the pristine CuV₂O₆ nanowires (329 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1C rate). In addition, the cathode material exhibits a high energy density of 302 W h kg⁻¹ at a power density of 173 W g⁻¹. This work provides new views and findings for the development of superior cathode materials for aqueous Zn-ion batteries.