Achieving long-cycle-life Zn-ion batteries through interfacial engineering of MnO2-polyaniline hybrid networks

Abstract Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising in large-scale energy storage application, due to their low cost, and high safety. However, the dissolution of MnO2 cathode and corresponding unintelligible Zn-storage mechanism hinder the development of high-performance aqueous ZIBs. In this work, we report an interfacial engineering strategy toward long-cycling performance of MnO2-polyaniline hybrid cathode. The three-dimensional networks of MnO2-polyaniline hybrid are in-situ deposited on a current collector of carbon cloth (PANI-MnO2/CC) via a hydrothermal reaction followed by a self-initiated polymerization. Due to the formed tight 3D network-like interfaces among carbon cloth, MnO2 and PANI, the prepared hybrid cathode possesses rapid charge transport ability, fast ion diffusion ability and stable structure. The Zn//PANI-MnO2/CC battery displays a high capacity of 286 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, excellent energy density of 349 Wh kg−1, and an outstanding long-term cycling performance (96.9% capacity retention after 9000 cycles at 4.0 A g−1). This work provides a new pathway to fabricate aqueous ZIBs with high energy density and ultra-long durability.