High-performance Cu_0.95V₂O₅ nanoflowers as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Exploring high-performance cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) is still one of the critical issues. Copper vanadate compound has become a potential cathode material for ZIBs with a novel displacement reaction mechanism of reversible reduction/oxidation of Cu²⁺/Cu⁰. Herein, we reported Cu_0.95V₂O₅ nanoflowers prepared using a hydrothermal synthesis method as a capable cathode material for ZIBs. The Cu_0.95V₂O₅ nanoflowers exhibit high specific capacity of 405 mAh·g⁻¹ at the current density of 100 mA·g⁻¹, benefiting from the displacement reaction mechanism and phase transformation mechanism from Cu_0.95V₂O₅ to the open and stable architecture Cu_0.4V₂O₅ and Zn₃(OH)₂V₂O₇·2H₂O phase. The cathode exhibits excellent rate performance with a high capacity of ~ 200 mAh·g⁻¹ at 5 A·g⁻¹ and outstanding cycle stability with a capacity retention of 92% after 1000 cycles. It is anticipated that the novel Cu_0.95V₂O₅ nanoflowers are promising cathode material in the application for zinc ion batteries.