Defect engineering on VO2(B) nanoleaves/graphene oxide for the high performance of cathodes of zinc-ion batteries with a wide temperature range

Designing cathodes with long service life, remarkable rate capability and all-climate workable is crucial to improve the performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we constructed a vanadium dioxide/graphene oxide (VO2(B)/GO) sample that combines VO2 with GO through hydrothermal route and can simultaneously provide rate capability. VO2(B)/GO is rich in oxygen vacancies, which weakens the electrostatic force, and GO prevents vanadium oxidation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate oxygen vacancies can offer more storage sites with increased reaction kinetics. The electrode exhibited a high reversible capacity of 423 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and preserved long-life cycling properties at 15 A g−1. The presence of oxygen vacancies and GO can contribute to the excellent performance and prevent the structure of VO2 from collapsing during cycling. We successfully lit up commercial light-emitting diode (LED) lights with a VO2(B)/GO electrode. In addition, VO2(B)/GO exhibits excellent performance in all-climate conditions (-15-60 °C). This combinatorial design strategy provides a broadly applicable approach for durability and all-climate workable batteries. [Display omitted] •The VO2(B)/GO shows a high capacity of 227 mAh g−1 after 2750 cycles at 15 A g−1.•The DFT results suggest the oxygen vacancies are beneficial for Zn2+ diffusion.•It shows excellent performance for AZIBs in all-climate conditions (-15-60 °C).