Ta₄C₃-Modulated MOF-Derived 3D Crosslinking Network of VO₂(B)@Ta₄C₃ for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing high-performance cathode materials is crucial for advancing aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs).
• Vanadium oxides and MXenes are promising candidates, but their integration and performance optimization require innovative strategies.
• Controlling the phase and structure of vanadium oxides is key to enhancing electrochemical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel MXene/metal-organic framework (MOF) derivative, VO2(B)@Ta4C3, using Ta4C3 MXene.
• To investigate the structural and electronic modulation effects of Ta4C3 on vanadium oxides.
• To evaluate the performance of VO2(B)@Ta4C3 as a cathode material for aqueous ZIBs.

Main Methods:

• Etching Ta4AlC3 to obtain Ta4C3 MXene using HCl/LiF and hydrothermal treatments.
• Hydrothermally growing a V-MOF on the Ta4C3 MXene surface.
• Annealing the V-MOF@Ta4C3 composite to form VO2(B)@Ta4C3.
• Characterizing the material and testing its electrochemical performance in ZIBs.
• Utilizing first-principles calculations to understand interfacial interactions.

Main Results:

• A 3D cross-linked VO2(B)@Ta4C3 composite was successfully prepared.
• Ta4C3 MXene prevented the conversion to V2O5, promoting the formation of VO2(B) with favorable tunnel structures for Zn2+ intercalation.
• The VO2(B)@Ta4C3 cathode delivered an ultra-high capacity of 437 mA h·g-1 at 0.1 A·g-1.
• The composite demonstrated excellent cycle stability and rate capability.
• Strong interfacial interactions between VO2(B) and Ta4C3 were confirmed, enhancing electrochemical activity.

Conclusions:

• The Ta4C3 MXene effectively modulates vanadium oxide's phase and electronic properties, leading to improved ZIB performance.
• The VO2(B)@Ta4C3 composite shows significant potential as a high-performance cathode material for aqueous ZIBs.
• This work provides a new strategy for designing metal oxide/MXene composites for energy storage applications.