Seaweed-Inspired NH4V4O10-Ti3C2Tx MXene/Carbon Nanofibers for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising, practical energy storage devices based on their non-toxic nature, environmental friendliness, and high energy density. However, excellent rate characteristics and stable long-term cycling performance are essential. These essential aspects create a need for superior cathode materials, which represents a substantial challenge. In this study, we used MXenes as a framework for NH₄V₄O₁₀ (NVO) construction and developed electrodes that combined the high capacity of NVO with the excellent conductivity of MXene/carbon nanofibers (MCNFs). We explored the electrochemical characteristics of electrodes with varying NVO contents. Considering the distinctive layered structure of NVO, the outstanding conductivity of MCNFs, and the strong synergies between the two components. NVO-MCNFs exhibited better charge transfer compared with earlier materials, as well as more ion storage sites, excellent conductivity, and short ion diffusion pathways. A composite electrode with optimized NVO content exhibited an excellent specific capacitance of 360.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ and an outstanding rate performance. In particular, even at a high current density of 10 A g⁻¹, the 32NVO-MCNF exhibited impressive cycling stability: 88.6% over 2500 cycles. The mechanism involved was discovered via comprehensive characterization. We expect that the fabricated nanofibers will be useful in energy storage and conversion systems.