Inverse opal manganese dioxide constructed by few-layered ultrathin nanosheets as high-performance cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Considering the high safety, low-cost and high capacity, aqueous zinc ion batteries have been a potential candidate for energy storage ensuring smooth electricity supply. Herein, we have synthesized inverse opal manganese dioxide constructed by few-layered ultrathin nanosheets by a solution template method at mild temperature. The ultrathin nanosheets with the thickness as small as 1 nm are well separated without obvious aggregation. Used as cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries, the few-layered ultrathin nanosheets combined with the inverse opal structure guarantee excellent performance. A high specific discharge capacity of 262.9 mAh·g⁻¹ is retained for the 100th cycle at a current density of 300 mA·g⁻¹ with a high capacity retention of 95.6%. A high specific discharge capacity of 121 mAh·g⁻¹ at a high current density of 2,000 mA·g⁻¹ is achieved even after 5,000 long-term cycles. The ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results demonstrate that the discharge/charge processes involve the reversible formation of zinc sulfate hydroxide hydrate on the cathode while in-plane crystal structure of the layered birnessite MnO₂ could be maintained. This unique structured MnO₂ is a promising candidate as cathode material for high capacity, high rate capability and long-term aqueous zinc-ion batteries.