Robust VS4@rGO nanocomposite as a high-capacity and long-life cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Although vanadium (V)-based sulfides have been investigated as cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), the performance improvement and the intrinsic zinc-ion (Zn2+) storage mechanism revelation is still challenging. Here, VS4@rGO composite with optimized morphology is designed and exhibits ultrahigh specific capacity (450 mA h g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1)) and high-rate capability (313.8 mA h g(-1) at 10 A g(-1)) when applied as cathode material for aqueous ZIBs. Furthermore, the VS4@rGO cathode presents long-life cycling stability with capacity retention of similar to 82% after 3500 cycles at 10 A g(-1). The structural evolution, redox, and degradation mechanisms of VS4 during (dis)charge processes are further probed by in situ XRD/Raman techniques and TEM analysis. Our results indicate that the main energy storage mechanism is derived from the intercalation/deintercalation reactions in the open channels of VS4. Notably, an irreversible phase transition of VS4 into Zn-3(OH)(2)V2O7 center dot 2H(2)O (ZVO) during the charging process and the further transition from ZVO to ZnV3O8 during long-term cycles are also observed, which might be the main reason leading to the capacity degradation of VS4@rGO. Our study further improves the electrochemical performance of VS4 in aqueous ZIBs through morphology design and provides new insights into the energy storage and performance degradation mechanisms of Zn2+ storage in VS4, and thus may endow the large-scale application of V-based sulfides for energy storage systems.

Automated summary

In this study, VS4@rGO composite with optimized morphology was designed as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, showing ultrahigh specific capacity, high-rate capability, and long-life cycling stability. The main energy storage mechanism of VS4 in the (dis)charge processes as well as the performance degradation mechanisms were revealed through in situ XRD/Raman techniques and TEM analysis.