Robust structural stability of flower-like δ-MnO2 as cathode for aqueous zinc ion battery

Flower-like delta-MnO2 is in-situ grown onto carbon cloth successfully by a facile hydrothermal -method X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements are applied to identify the birnessite structure and flower-like morphology of fabricated MnO2. Due to the unique flower-like structure and constructed flake-like subunits, the electrode shows outstanding capacity of 322.92 mAh g(-1) at current density of 0.3 A g(-1). The ex situ XRD diffraction and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) characterization indicate a possible energy storage mechanism of co-intercalation of H+ and Zn2+ into delta-MnO2 during the discharge process. It is considered that the distinctive morphology and layered structure can facilitate ion transportation thus making delta-MnO2 a potential cathode for aqueous zinc ion battery applications.

Automated summary

In this study, flower-like delta-MnO2 was successfully grown onto carbon cloth. The synthesized MnO2 exhibited a unique flower-like morphology and layered structure, contributing to its outstanding capacity as a potential cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries.