Electrochemically Induced Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Amorphous V2O5 for Superior Rate Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

The electrochemical performance of vanadium‐oxide‐based cathodes in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) depends on their degree of crystallinity and composite state with carbon materials. An in situ electrochemical induction strategy was developed to fabricate a metal–organic‐framework‐derived composite of amorphous V2O5 and carbon materials (a‐V2O5@C) for the first time, where V2O5 is in an amorphous state and uniformly distributed in the carbon framework. The amorphous structure endows V2O5 with more isotropic Zn2+ diffusion routes and active sites, resulting in fast Zn2+ transport and high specific capacity. The porous carbon framework provides a continuous electron transport pathway and ion diffusion channels. As a result, the a‐V2O5@C composites display extraordinary electrochemical performance. This work will pave the way toward design of ZIB cathodes with superior rate performance. In situ electrochemical induction of crystalline V2O3‐containing MIL‐88B(V) and carbon material yields a composite termed a‐V2O5@C. The a‐V2O5@C composites display appreciable electrochemical performance due to the unique amorphous structure of V2O5 and its composite state with carbon.