Laser‐Scribed Battery Electrodes for Ultrafast Zinc‐Ion Energy Storage

Abstract

AbstractAqueous Zn batteries are promising for large‐scale energy storage but are plagued by the lack of high‐performance cathode materials that enable high specific capacity, ultrafast charging, and outstanding cycling stability. Here, a laser‐scribed nano‐vanadium oxide (LNVO) cathode is designed that can simultaneously achieve these properties. The material stores charge through Faradaic redox reactions on/near the surface at fast rates owing to the small grain size of vanadium oxide and interpenetrating 3D graphene network, displaying a surface‐controlled capacity contribution (90%–98%). Multiple characterization techniques unambiguously reveal that zinc and hydronium ions co‐insert with minimal lattice change upon cycling. It is demonstrated that a high specific capacity of 553 mAh g−1 is achieved at 0.1 A g−1, and an impressive 264 mAh g−1 capacity is retained at 100 A g−1 within 10 s, showing excellent rate capability. The LNVO/Zn can also reach >90% capacity retention after 3000 cycles at a high rate of 30 A g−1, as well as achieving both high energy (369 Wh kg−1) and power densities (56306 W kg−1). Moreover, the LNVO cathode retains its excellent cycling performance when integrated into quasi‐solid‐state pouch cells, further demonstrating mechanical stability and its potential for practical application in wearable and grid‐scale applications.