Two-pronged approach: Utilizing a 3D microfloral structure of V10O24·nH2O with abundant oxygen vacancies and structural water for aqueous zinc ion batteries

Vanadium oxides with large layer spacing are regarded as suitable candidates for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). In this work, the large layer spacing V₁₀O₂₄·nH₂O is synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method as AZIBs cathodes with increased oxygen vacancies and structural water which effectively improved the diffusion kinetics of Zn²⁺. As a consequence, V₁₀O₂₄·nH₂O electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of up to 359 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ and 95 % capacity retention after 1500 cycles at high current density of 5 A g⁻¹. In addition, the ex-situ characterization further reveals the zinc storage mechanism of V₁₀O₂₄·nH₂O material with large layer spacing during the cycling process. This study presents a practical approach to enhancing vanadium oxides, offering valuable insights for accelerating the development of high-performance AZIBs.