Novel V2O3@N-C cathode for superior aqueous zinc-ion batteries via melamine foam templating

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are increasingly garnering attention due to their inherent safety features and the economic benefits of using metallic zinc. Among the promising cathode materials for AZIBs, V ₂O ₃-based compounds are extensively studied because of their unique tunnel structure and high energy density. However, the broader application of V ₂O ₃-based materials is hindered by several challenges, including sluggish reaction kinetics, poor cycling stability, and the lack of effective methods for large-scale synthesis. In response to these limitations, this study utilizes melamine foam as a self-sacrificing template to develop a V ₂O ₃@N-C cathode that aims to enhance the performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The resulting cathode benefits from the uniform dispersion of V ₂O ₃ nanoparticles and a trace carbon-coated structure enriched with oxygen vacancies, yielding significant reversible capacity (569.62 mA h g ⁻¹ at 0.5 A g ⁻¹ and 411.63 mA h g ⁻¹ at 20 A g ⁻¹) and superior cycling stability (369.66 mA h g ⁻¹ after 3200 cycles at 10 A g ⁻¹). Additionally, ex-situ characterization techniques have been employed to thoroughly investigate the zinc storage mechanism, offering novel insights for the development of high-performance cathode materials for AZIBs.