Issue 18, 2024

Ultra-low diffusion barrier tetramethyl ammonium cation-intercalated layered MnO2 for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract

The distinctive layered configuration of δ-MnO2 renders it an exceptionally promising candidate as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). However, its practical utilization is constrained by the sluggish diffusion kinetics of Zn2+ and the capacity degradation resulting from lattice distortions occurring during charge and discharge cycles. To address these challenges, we have developed TMA–MnO2 by pre-intercalation of both tetramethylammonium ions (TMA+) and H2O molecules. The incorporation of TMA+ within the interlayer of δ-MnO2 results in the expansion of the interlayer spacing to 0.96 nm, thereby establishing a rapid diffusion pathway for Zn2+. At a rate of 0.2 A g−1, the ZIB employing TMA–MnO2 exhibits a specific capacity of 310.3 mA h g−1. Furthermore, after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1, it maintains 91% of its initial capacity. Ex situ characterization techniques provide evidence of the co-intercalation mechanism of Zn2+/H+, concurrently indicating the stable presence of TMA+ as a structural support between layers during charge–discharge cycling. Density functional theory calculations provide evidence of the transformative impact of TMA+ introduction on the electron cloud density distribution within MnO2. This alteration leads to an enhancement in material conductivity and a substantial reduction in the diffusion barrier for Zn2+, consequently facilitating rapid diffusion kinetics.

Graphical abstract: Ultra-low diffusion barrier tetramethyl ammonium cation-intercalated layered MnO2 for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Jan 2024
Accepted
25 Mar 2024
First published
09 Apr 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 10923-10931

Ultra-low diffusion barrier tetramethyl ammonium cation-intercalated layered MnO2 for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Z. Zhou, J. Tong, X. Zou, Y. Wang, Y. Bai, Y. Yang, Y. Li, C. Wang and S. Liu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 10923 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA00609G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements