Cable-like V2O5 Decorated Carbon Cloth as a High-Capacity Cathode for Flexible Zinc Ion Batteries

Rechargeable Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage systems due to their non-toxicity, low cost, and non-flammability features. However, exploring flexible and high-capacity devices with prominent cycling still remains a challenge for ZIBs. Herein, a flexible and binder-free carbon cloth coated by V 2 O 5 (namely, CC@V 2 O 5 ) cathode material is prepared through a simple solvothermal method. The cable-like CC@V 2 O 5 provides abundant active sites and highways for electrons transport. Meanwhile, the layered structure of V 2 O 5 can also facilitate zinc ion diffusion. The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique indicates that the zinc-ion diffusion coefficient of CC@V 2 O 5 is much higher than that of the commercial V 2 O 5 . As a result, the CC@V 2 O 5 exhibits excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding bendability arising from the synergistic effect between porous V 2 O 5 and carbon cloth, in terms of a remarkable discharge capacity (296 mAh g −1 at 3 A g −1 ), superior rate capability (241 mAh g −1 at 5 A g −1 ), and long-term stability with a capacity retention of 87.1% over 2200 cycles. The novel strategy proposed in this study may provide guidance for exploiting high-performance flexible systems and wearable energy storage systems.