NaMnO/MXene nanocomposites as cathodes for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

The distinctive configuration of MnO renders it an exceptionally promising candidate for cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). However, its practical utilization is constrained by the sluggish diffusion kinetics of Zn and the capacity degradation resulting from lattice distortions occurring during charge and discharge cycles. To address these challenges, NaMnO@MXene with a typical 2 × 4 tunnel structure has been successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method in the presence of 5 M NaCl. The nanorods are about 56 nm in diameter. The zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with NaMnO@MXene displays a specific capacity of 324.6 mA h g at 0.2 A g, and have a high reversible capacity of 153.8 mA h g after 1000 charge-discharge cycles at 2 A g with a capacity retention of 91.4%. The unique morphology endows abundant electrochemical active sites and facile ion diffusion kinetics, that contribute to the high specific capacity and stability. The NaMnO@MXene with a 2 × 4 tunnel structure is a promising candidate as an electrode material for ZIBs.