Co-intercalation of dual charge carriers in metal-ion-confining layered vanadium oxide nanobelts for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Vanadium-based oxides with high theoretical specific capacities and open crystal structures are promising cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). In this work, the confined synthesis can insert metal ions into the interlayer spacing of layered vanadium oxide nanobelts without changing the original morphology. Furthermore, we obtain a series of nanomaterials based on metal-confined nanobelts, and describe the effect of interlayer spacing on the electrochemical performance. The electrochemical properties of the obtained Al${}_{2.65}$V${}_6$O${}_{13}$ ⋅ 2.07H${}_2$O as cathodes for AZIBs are remarkably improved with a high initial capacity of 571.7 mAh ⋅ g${}^{-1}$ at 1.0 A g${}^{-1}$. Even at a high current density of 5.0 A g${}^{-1}$, the initial capacity can still reach 205.7 mAh g${}^{-1}$, with a high capacity retention of 89.2 % after 2000 cycles. This study demonstrates that nanobelts confined with metal ions can significantly improve energy storage applications, revealing new avenues for enhancing the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. (© 2022 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)