Molecular Armor Encapsulation of Practical Layered Cathode Empowers Energetic Ah-Level Zn-MnO <sub>2</sub> Pouch and Prismatic Cells
Xinhua Zheng, Bibo Han, Shanjie Cheng, Shikai Liu, Faxing Wang, Yuping Wu
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The development of energetic zinc–manganese oxide (Zn-MnO 2 ) pouch and prismatic cells for energy storage applications is highly required, yet remains challenging especially in their Ah-level. To bridge the gap between laboratory-scale studies and commercial applications, this work encapsulates the practical layered MnO 2 cathode by a molecular armoring technique and then investigates its application potential in Ah-level Zn-MnO 2 pouch and prismatic cells. The molecular armor encapsulation not only enhances cathode conductivity but also remodels interfacial charge distribution, boosting redox kinetics and ion-storage reversibility. Simultaneously, it acts as a physical barrier that mitigates manganese dissolution while accommodating lattice strain from ion insertion/extraction to prevent cathode structural damage. As a result, based on the optimized MnO 2 cathode with molecular armor, the manufactured Ah-level pouch cell demonstrates a stable 120 cycles and a practical energy density of ∼58 Wh kg –1 . Systematic module integration tests and safety assessments in prismatic cells further validate the system’s scalability and operational reliability, demonstrating its potential as a viable solution for future energy storage applications.