Confinement strategy construction (0D/3D)MoSe2@HrGO hybrid for enhancing reaction kinetics in aqueous zinc-tellurium batteries

Aqueous zinc-tellurium (Zn-Te) batteries based on conversion reactions between Zn and Te have sparked significant interest due to their cost-effectiveness, high theoretical specific capacity and outstanding safety features. Nevertheless, the sluggish kinetics pose a barrier to the advancement of aqueous Zn-Te batteries. In this study, zero-dimension (0D) nanodots and three-dimensional (3D) nanoflowers molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) are in situ grown on the holey reduced graphene oxide (HrGO) by a confinement synthesis strategy. Benefiting from the simultaneous presence of (0D/3D)MoSe₂, excellent conductivity of holey reduced graphene oxide and unique hierarchical structure, the (0D/3D)MoSe₂@HrGO hybrid greatly promotes the redox kinetics between Zn and Te conversion. Consequently, the constructed aqueous Zn-Te batteries equipped with a Te@(0D/3D)MoSe₂@HrGO cathode demonstrate remarkable specific capacity (reaching 505 mAh/g at a current density of 0.15 A/g) along with outstanding long-term cycling stability. Additionally, the underlying conversion mechanism has been meticulously explored through extensive analytical techniques. This research introduces an innovative approach to boost the electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc-tellurium batteries.