Flexible Electronic Systems via Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing: A MnSe@rGO Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidatestopower flexible integrated functional systems because they are safeand environmentally friendly. Among the numerous cathode materialsproposed, Mn-based compounds, particularly MnO2, have attractedspecial attention because of their high energy density, nontoxicity,and low cost. However, the cathode materials reported so far are characterizedby sluggish Zn2+ storage kinetics and moderate stabilities.Herein, a ZIB cathode based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-coatedMnSe nanoparticles (MnSe@rGO) is proposed. After MnSe was activatedto & alpha;-MnO2, the ZIB exhibits a specific capacity ofup to 290 mAh g(-1). The mechanism underlying theimprovement in the electrochemical performance of the MnSe@rGO basedelectrode is investigated using a series of electrochemical testsand first-principles calculations. Additionally, in situ Raman spectroscopyis used to track the phase transition of the MnSe@rGO cathodes duringthe initial activation, proving the structural evolution from theLO to MO6 mode. Because of the high mechanical stabilityof MnSe@rGO, flexible miniaturized energy storage devices can be successfullyprinted using a high-precision electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printerand integrated with a touch-controlled light-emitting diode arraysystem, demonstrating the application of flexible EHD jet-printedmicrobatteries.

Automated summary

A ZIB cathode based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-coated MnSe nanoparticles (MnSe@rGO) is proposed, which shows high specific capacity and excellent electrochemical performance, making it suitable for flexible miniaturized energy storage devices.