A Cu/MnOx Composite with Copper-Doping-Induced Oxygen Vacancies as a Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are anticipated to be the next generation of important energy storage devices to replace lithium-ion batteries due to the ongoing use of lithium resources and the safety hazards associated with organic electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries. Manganese-based compounds, including MnOx materials, have prominent places among the many zinc-ion battery cathode materials. Additionally, Cu doping can cause the creation of an oxygen vacancy, which increases the material's internal electric field and enhances cycle stability. MnOx also has great cyclic stability and promotes ion transport. At a current density of 0.2 A g^-1, the Cu/MnO_x nanocomposite obtained a high specific capacitance of 304.4 mAh g^-1. In addition, Cu/MnO_x nanocomposites showed A high specific capacity of 198.9 mAh g^-1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1. Therefore, Cu/MnO_x nanocomposites are expected to be a strong contender for the next generation of zinc-ion battery cathode materials in high energy density storage systems.