Review of vanadium-based oxide cathodes as aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Research on energy storage technology is a vital part of realizing the dual-carbon strategy at this stage. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are favorable competitors in various energy storage devices due to their high energy density, reassuring intrinsic safety, and unique cost advantages. The design of cathode materials is crucial for the large-scale development and application of AZIBs. Vanadium-based oxides with high theoretical capacity, diverse valence states, as well as high electrochemical activity, have been widely used as cathode materials for AZIBs. Unfortunately, there are some obstacles, including low electronic conductivity and sluggish kinetics, hindering their further application in AZIBs. In view of the above, this review will introduce a series of modification methods including morphology design, defect engineering, ingenious combination with conductive materials, and modification of electrolyte and zinc anode according to the intrinsic disadvantage of vanadium oxides and summarize the research progress of various modification methods including zinc storage performance and mechanism. Finally, several reasonable prospects will be proposed to appease the needs of basic research and practical applications according to the current status.