N-doped carbon/V2O3 microfibers as high-rate and ultralong-life cathode for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2021-04, Vol.861, p.158560, Article 158560
• Main Authors: Zhang, Haibang, Yao, Zhendong, Lan, Dawei, Liu, Yunying, Ma, Litong, Cui, Jinlong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cathode materials; Electrostatic spinning; N-doped carbon/V2O3 microfibers; Zinc-ion batteries
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.158560

•N@C/V2O3 microfiber was prepared via electrospinning and high-temperature carbonizing.•V2O3 with tunnel-like 3D crystal structure evenly distributed in N-doped C skeleton.•N-doped C skeleton takes on an amorphous form with some structural defects.•These unique structure feature endow N@C/V2O3 with excellent electrochemical property.•N@C/V2O3 cathode delivers larger capacity of 322.3 mAh/g after 4000 cycles at 10 A/g. [Display omitted] N-doped carbon/V2O3 microfibers as a prospective cathode material of rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries are synthesized via an electrostatic spinning method followed by a high temperature carbonization process. V2O3 nanoparticles with a tunnel-like 3D crystal structure are homogeneously distributed in the N-doped carbon skeleton. N-doped C skeleton takes on an amorphous form with some structural defects. These unique structural features endow N-doped C/V2O3 electrodes with an exceptional initial discharge capacity of 459.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and the capacity retention can reach to 92.95% after 152 cycles. When the current density increases to 10 A g−1, this N-doped C/V2O3 cathode delivers a larger discharge capacity of 322.3 mAh g−1 with a capacity degradation of merely 0.002% per-cycle after 4000 cycles. In addition, this N-doped C/V2O3 cathode also possesses a superior rate capability.