Three dimensional CNTs interweaved layered MnTe nanoparticles as a new cathode for aqueous zinc ion battery.

Abstract

Currently, the development of suitable transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is plagued by the terrible conductivity and electrochemical properties. Herein, a one-step ball milling method is applied to enhance the conductivity of commercial MnTe cathode by constructing three dimensional (3D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) interweaved MnTe nanoparticles (abbreviated as MnTe@CNTs), which can achieve ultrafast ion conduction. The stable electrochemistry properties benefit from the synergistic effects between layered MnTe and 3D CNTs, which can improve the electrons/ions diffusion kinetics as cycling. So MnTe@CNTs achieves a ultra-high capacity of 427.2 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and superior capacity retention of 97.6% at 1 A g-1 over 200 cycles. Zinc-storage mechanisms can be revealed with the aid of operando XRD and ex situ XPS spectra. MnTe as a new cathode presents superior Zn-storage ability for high-performance AZIBs.