Constructing oxygen deficiency-rich V2O3@PEDOT cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to the advantages of high safety and environmental friendliness. Although V2O3 is a promising cathode, the strong electrostatic interaction between Zn2+ and V2O3 crystal, and the sluggish reaction kinetics still limit their application in AZIBs. Herein, the oxygen defects rich V2O3 with conducive poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) shell (V2O3-O-d@PEDOT) was fabricated for AZIBs by combining the sulfur-assisted thermal reduction and in-situ polymerization method. The introduced oxygen vacancies of V2O3-O-d@PEDOT weaken the electrostatic interaction between Zn2+ and the host material, improving the interfacial electron transport, while the PEDOT coating enhances the structural stability and conductivity of V2O3, thus accelerating the reaction kinetics. Based on the advantages, V2O3-O-d@PEDOT electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 495 mAh<middle dot>g(-1) at 0.1 A<middle dot>g(-1), good rate capability (189 mAh<middle dot>g(-1) at 8.0 A<middle dot>g(-1)), and an impressive cycling stability with 90.1% capacity retention over 1000 cycles at 8.0 A<middle dot>g(-1). The strategy may provide a path for exploiting the other materials for high performance AZIBs.