Carbon nanotube@Mn3O4 composite as cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc ion battery

Mn3O4 is viewed as an attractive candidate for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion battery cathode materials due to the advantages of low cost, eco-friendly nature as well as high capacity. However, it faces inherently poor electronic conductivity and poor cyclability during battery cycling. To improve the electrochemical performance, Mn3O4 nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs@Mn3O4) were fabricated by a facile one-step solution process at low temperature. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of nanoscale Mn3O4 and 1D CNTs, the conductivity and electrochemical performance of Mn3O4 are significantly improved. The prepared CNTs@Mn3O4 nanocomposites deliver a discharge capacity of 310 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, and maintain 123 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 after 500 cycles, demonstrating good rate capability and cycling performance as a promising cathode material for low-cost neutral zinc-ion battery. Mn3O4 nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs@Mn3O4) are obtained by a facile one-step solution process, and exhibit stable electrochemical performance as a cathode material for aqueous zinc ion battery. [Display omitted] •One dimensional CNTs@Mn3O4 composites are prepared via a facile synthetic method.•Grown Mn3O4 on CNTs surface improves ionic/electronic transports.•The CNTs@Mn3O4 cathode demonstrates good electrochemical performance.•The storage mechanism of the CNTs@Mn3O4 cathode is also investigated.