Nano-sized split V₂O₅ with H₂O-intercalated interfaces as a stable cathode for zinc ion batteries without an aging process

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to the abundance of zinc source, their satisfactory safety levels, low cost, and eco-friendliness. However, the volume expansion of vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅), which is used as the cathode material in ZIBs, from the insertion/desertion of Zn ion in the initial cycles (known as the aging process) leads to the generation of cracks and voids in electrode; thus, leading to an unstable capacity behavior. Consequently, the high capacity potential of V₂O₅ cannot be effectively utilized. In this study, nano-sized split V₂O₅ with H₂O-intercalated interfaces (NSVOHI) is prepared as a ZIB cathode material using an electrochemical activation process. The NSVOHI is utilized in a ZIB without an aging process, and the ZIB exhibits a stable capacity behavior, excellent energy storage performance, and reversibility, with an enhanced specific capacity of 457 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹, and an outstanding cycling stability with a capacity retention of 91% for 200 cycles at a current density of 1.3 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, a fabricated all-solid-state ZIB exhibits an excellent energy storage performance and good mechanical feasibility without an aging process.