Combustion synthesis of Mn3O4/soot composite for high-performance zinc-ion batteries

초록

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are garnering significant attention as safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective energy storage devices. However, their cathode materials face challenges such as low electrical conductivity, poor ion diffusion kinetics, and insufficient structural stability of active materials. In this study, a novel Mn3O4/soot composite material was developed to address these issues. High specific surface area and excellent conductivity of soot were incorporated into manganese oxide through a physical mixing method, resulting in a homogeneous Mn3O4/soot composite. The introduction of soot significantly enhanced the electron conductivity of the Mn3O4 electrode and improved ion diffusion kinetics. Additionally, the carbon soot layer served as a mechanical buffer to alleviate volume changes during Zn2+ insertion/extraction, thereby improving structural stability. Compared to pure Mn3O4, the composite cathode exhibited higher specific capacity (38.3% improvement in initial capacities), superior rate performance, and extended cycling life. Electrochemical characterizations, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge profiles, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), demonstrated the composite's advantages in lowering charge transfer resistance, enhancing redox reaction kinetics, and suppressing manganese dissolution. This study provides a viable strategy for designing cost-effective and high-performance cathode materials for next-generation ZIBs.

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