Eu doped V2O5 nanosheets as a high-performance cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

In this study, we successfully synthesized europium (Eu)-doped V 2 O 5 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth via a hydrothermal method for use as a high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) cathode. The incorporation of Eu not only facilitates electrolyte diffusion but also mitigates electrode volume expansion during cycling, thereby significantly enhancing electrochemical stability. Remarkably, the optimized material demonstrates outstanding electrochemical properties, delivering a high specific capacity of 460 mAh/g at 1 A/g. Moreover, it exhibits excellent cycling stability, retaining 78 % of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles at a high current density of 10 A/g, along with a low charge transfer resistance of 132 Ω. Furthermore, Eu doping substantially improves the Zn 2+ ion diffusion coefficient, elevating it to the order of 10 −8  cm 2 /s. And with the increase of temperature, the specific capacity of the battery continues to increase until 70 °C, when the maximum value is reached, and the specific capacitance increases by 15 %. These compelling results highlight the great potential of Eu-doped V 2 O 5 as an advanced energy storage material.