Multi-Scale investigations of δ-Ni0.25V2O5·nH2O cathode materials in aqueous zinc-ion batteries

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202000058

Authors: Jianwei Li (University College London) , Kit Mccoll (University College London (UCL)) , Xuekun Lu (University College London) , Sanjay Sathasivam (University College London) , Haobo Dong (University College London) , Liqun Kang (University College London (UCL)) , Zhuangnan Li (University College London) , Siyu Zhao (University College London (UCL)) , Andreas G. Kafizas (Imperial College London) , Ryan Wang (University College London) , Dan J. L. Brett (University College London) , Paul R. Shearing (University College London) , Furio Corà (University College London) , Guanjie He (University College London) , Claire J. Carmalt (University College London) , Ivan P. Parkin (University College London)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Advanced Energy Materials , VOL 8

State: Published (Approved)
Published: February 2020
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 24197 , 22572

Abstract: Cost‐effective and environment‐friendly aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) exhibit tremendous potential for application in grid‐scale energy storage systems but are limited by suitable cathode materials. Hydrated vanadium bronzes have gained significant attention for AZIBs and can be produced with a range of different pre‐intercalated ions, allowing their properties to be optimized. However, gaining a detailed understanding of the energy storage mechanisms within these cathode materials remains a great challenge due to their complex crystallographic frameworks, limiting rational design from the perspective of enhanced Zn2+ diffusion over multiple length scales. Herein, a new class of hydrated porous δ‐Ni0.25V2O5.nH2O nanoribbons for use as an AZIB cathode is reported. The cathode delivers reversibility showing 402 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and a capacity retention of 98% over 1200 cycles at 5 A g−1. A detailed investigation using experimental and computational approaches reveal that the host “δ” vanadate lattice has favorable Zn2+ diffusion properties, arising from the atomic‐level structure of the well‐defined lattice channels. Furthermore, the microstructure of the as‐prepared cathodes is examined using multi‐length scale X‐ray computed tomography for the first time in AZIBs and the effective diffusion coefficient is obtained by image‐based modeling, illustrating favorable porosity and satisfactory tortuosity.

Journal Keywords: 3D tomography; cathode; density functional theory calculation; zinc‐ion battery

Diamond Keywords: Batteries; Zinc-ion

Subject Areas: Materials, Chemistry, Energy

Diamond Offline Facilities: Electron Physical Sciences Imaging Centre (ePSIC)
Instruments: B07-C-Versatile Soft X-ray beamline: Ambient Pressure XPS and NEXAFS , E01-JEM ARM 200CF

Added On: 04/03/2020 11:49

Discipline Tags:

Energy Storage Energy Physical Chemistry Energy Materials Chemistry Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Microscopy Spectroscopy Electron Microscopy (EM) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structures (NEXAFS) Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM)