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Nanoengineered RF-Sputtered Mn3O4 Cathode Thin Films for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Insights into Diffusion Dynamics
Kathiresan C1, Sruthy Subash1, Udhayakumar S1
1Thin film Energy Storage Laboratory, Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603 203Tamil Nadu India.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|January 23, 2025
Summary
This study explores manganese oxide thin films for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, achieving high capacity and stability. Optimizing interfaces is key to improving performance and preventing degradation in microbatteries.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Manganese oxides show promise as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs).
- Thin-film configurations of manganese oxides in AZIBs are underexplored.
- Challenges include phase stability, capacity fading, and diffusion barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the electrochemical dynamics of 60 nm Mn3O4 thin films in AZIBs.
- Achieve high capacity and cycling stability in thin-film AZIBs.
- Understand and address factors limiting performance, such as diffusion dynamics and structural instability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Mn3O4 thin films using RF magnetron reactive sputtering.
- Electrochemical characterization including cycling performance and rate capability tests.
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to determine Zn2+ diffusion coefficients.
Main Results:
- Achieved the highest reported capacity (25 mAh/g) for thin-film manganese oxide cathodes.
- Demonstrated stability over 500 cycles with effective performance across varying current rates.
- EIS revealed significant changes in Zn2+ diffusion coefficients (e.g., 1.503 × 10^-7 cm²/s precycle) that evolve during cycling due to structural instability.
Conclusions:
- Structural instability during discharge negatively impacts Zn2+ diffusion and overall performance.
- Interfacial engineering and material optimization are crucial for enhancing stability and mitigating degradation.
- Targeted engineering of manganese oxide thin films can unlock their potential for high-performance microbatteries.
