Electron Distribution Regulation of Nanoparticle Assembled Hollow Structured Fe3O4@ZnFe2O4@NC/Mo2TiC2Tx for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Exploring advanced high-performance electrode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is of enormous significance for the development and commercial application of AZIBs. Herein, nanoparticle assemble hollow structured Fe₃O₄@ZnFe₂O₄@NC/Mo₂TiC₂T_x with excellent specific capacity and cycling performance is fabricated via a designed method, and an advanced strategy is First proposed to modulate charge storage performance. The superior specific capacity can be attributed to the enhanced electrochemical activity and reversibility, which are mainly achieved by in situ Zn adulteration to trigger the electron redistribution between Fe, Zn, and O atoms. Additionally, the unique structure and multiple components can provide plentiful active sites, ameliorating the affinity between electrode and electrolyte and facilitating electrochemical kinetics. The great cycling performance can be ascribed to the improved structural stability by loading two robust substrates of intimately coated carbon and MXene. Fe₃O₄@ZnFe₂O₄@NC/Mo₂TiC₂T_x renders a distinctly higher specific capacity (364.4 mAh·g⁻¹) than that of Fe₂O₃ (92.2 mAh·g⁻¹), Fe₃O₄@NC (211.2 mAh·g⁻¹), and Fe₃O₄@ZnFe₂O₄@NC (276.8 mAh·g⁻¹), as well as excellent cycling stability of 86.2% capacity retention over 1000 cycles. Moreover, the charge storage mechanism of the new electrode and the effects of structure and composition regulation are revealed by characterizations and computations.