Abstract
Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries based on manganese-based cathode materials are promising energy storage devices, but the low conductivity and dissolution issues of manganese-based cathode materials lead to instability. In order to address these issues, this work proposes an in situ reaction between hydroxyethylene-1,1,-diphosphonic acid and manganese dioxide to create a phosphorylated manganese dioxide (PMO) cathode on which a phosphate solid electrolyte interphase was built. This artificial organic electrolyte interface improves the stability of the cathode during cycling, allowing it to deliver capacities of 250 mAh g−1 and 105 mAh g−1 at current densities of 0.1 A g−1 and 1.0 A g−1, respectively. The intrinsic mechanism of this phosphate retards the side reactions caused by water attack. This strategy provides a general design strategy for manganese-based cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries.
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•Manganese dioxide cathode is protected by artificial phosphate layer.•An artificial layer is formed between manganese dioxide and hydroxyvinylidenediphosphonic acid.•The desolvation of hydrated zinc ions is improved by this phosphate layer.