High-performance Cu0.95V2O5 nanoflowers as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Exploring high-performance cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) is still one of the critical issues. Copper vanadate compound has become a potential cathode material for ZIBs with a novel displacement reaction mechanism of reversible reduction/oxidation of Cu2+/Cu0. Herein, we reported Cu0.95V2O5 nanoflowers prepared using a hydrothermal synthesis method as a capable cathode material for ZIBs. The Cu0.95V2O5 nanoflowers exhibit high specific capacity of 405 mAh·g−1 at the current density of 100 mA·g−1, benefiting from the displacement reaction mechanism and phase transformation mechanism from Cu0.95V2O5 to the open and stable architecture Cu0.4V2O5 and Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O phase. The cathode exhibits excellent rate performance with a high capacity of ~ 200 mAh·g−1 at 5 A·g−1 and outstanding cycle stability with a capacity retention of 92% after 1000 cycles. It is anticipated that the novel Cu0.95V2O5 nanoflowers are promising cathode material in the application for zinc ion batteries.