Two Birds with One Stone: V4C3 MXene Synergistically Promoted VS2 Cathode and Zinc Anode for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered to be a rising star in the large-scale energy storage area because of their low cost and environmental friendliness properties. However, the limited electrochemical performance of the cathode and severe zinc dendrite of the anode severely hinder the practical application of AZIBs. Herein, a novel 3D interconnected VS2 perpendicular to V4C3Tx heterostructure material is prepared via one-step solvothermal method. Morphological and structural characterizations show that VS2 nanosheets are uniformly and dispersedly distributed on the surface of the V4C3 MXene substrate, which can effectively suppress volume change of the VS2. Owing to the open heterostructure along with the high conductivity of V4C3 MXene, the VS2 perpendicular to V4C3Tx cathode shows a high specific capacity of 273.9 mAh g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) and an excellent rate capability of 143.2 mAh g(-1) at 20 A g(-1). The V4C3 MXene can also effectively suppress zinc dendrite growth when used as protective layer for the Zn anode, making the V4C3Tx@Zn symmetric cell with a stable voltage profile for approximate to 1700 h. Benefitting from the synergistic modification effect of V4C3 MXene on both the cathode and anode, the VS2 perpendicular to V4C3Tx||V4C3Tx@Zn battery exhibits a long cycling lifespan of 5000 cycles with a capacity of 157.1 mAh g(-1) at 5A g(-1).