Hydrogen-Bond Reinforced Superstructural Manganese Oxide As the Cathode for Ultra-Stable Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Layered manganese oxides adopting pre-accommodated cations have drawn tremendous interest for the application as cathodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) owing to their open 2D channels for fast ion-diffusion and mild phase transition upon topochemical (de)intercalation processes. However, it is inevitable to see these pillar cations leaching from the hosts owing to the loose interaction with negatively charged Helmholtz planes within the hosts and shearing/bulking effects in 2D structures upon guest species (de)intercalation, which implies a limited modulation to prevent them from rapid performance decay. Herein, a new class of layered manganese oxides, Mg0.9Mn3O7 center dot 2.7H(2)O, is proposed for the first time, aims to achieve a robust cathode for high-performance AZIBs. The cathode can deliver a high capacity of 312 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 A g(-1) and exceptional cycling stability with 92% capacity retention after 5 000 cycles at 5 A g(-1). The comprehensive characterizations elucidate its peculiar motif of pined Mg-Mn-Mg dumbbell configuration along with interstratified hydrogen bond responsible for less Mn migration/dissolution and quasi-zero-strain characters. The revealed new structure-function insights can open up an avenue toward the rational design of superstructural cathodes for reversible AZIBs.

Automated summary

A new class of layered manganese oxides, Mg0.9Mn3O7·2.7H2O, is proposed as a robust cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries. It delivers high capacity and exceptional cycling stability due to its unique motif and interstratified hydrogen bond, which minimize manganese migration/dissolution and exhibit quasi-zero-strain characteristics. The revealed structure-function insights pave the way for rational design of superstructural cathodes for reversible aqueous zinc-ion batteries.