VO₂·0.2H₂O nanocuboids anchored onto graphene sheets as the cathode material for ultrahigh capacity aqueous zinc ion batteries

Aqueous Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), using zinc negative electrode and aqueous electrolyte, have attracted great attention in energy storage field due to the reliable safety and low-cost. A composite material comprised of VO₂·0.2H₂O nanocuboids anchored on graphene sheets (VOG) is synthesized through a facile and efficient microwave-assisted solvothermal strategy and is used as aqueous ZIBs cathode material. Owing to the synergistic effects between the high conductivity of graphene sheets and the desirable structural features of VO₂·0.2H₂O nanocuboids, the VOG electrode has excellent electronic and ionic transport ability, resulting in superior Zn ions storage performance. The Zn/VOG system delivers ultrahigh specific capacity of 423 mAh·g^-1 at 0.25 A·g^-1 and exhibits good cycling stability of up to 1,000 cycles at 8 A·g^-1 with 87% capacity retention. Systematical structural and elemental characterizations confirm that the interlayer space of VO₂·0.2H₂O nanocuboids can adapt to the reversible Zn ions insertion/extraction. The as-prepared VOG composite is a promising cathode material with remarkable electrochemical performance for low-cost and safe aqueous rechargeable ZIBs.