Cobalt-catalyzed reversible deposition/dissolution of MnO2 for enhancing the long-cycle stability of aqueous Zn-Mn batteries

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-manganese batteries (AZMBs) are strong candidates for the next generation of energy storage technologies. However, poor cycling stability has greatly limited the commercialization process of AZMBs. The irreversible dissolution and low utilization of manganese-based cathodes impact cycling stability. Therefore, this work proposes a cathode for electrolytic zinc-manganese battery, where cobalt and nitrogen co-doped porous carbon with catalytic and adsorptive properties is grown on carbon nanotube films (CoNC-CFs). Through a synergistic approach of ion adsorption and catalytic conversion, it significantly enhances the reversible conversion efficiency of Mn 2+ /MnO 2 , leading to long-term cycling stability for AZMBs. This strategy utilizes the catalytic effect of cobalt to promote the uniform deposition of Mn 2+ during the charging process and ensures the efficient dissolution of the deposited material during discharge, thus achieving over 1300 reversible cycles at 1 mA cm −2 in a near-neutral sulfate electrolyte. This method offers new perspectives for the further development and application of AZMBs.