3D printing of customized MnO2 cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Zhen LIU, Hanbing He, Zexiang Luo, Xiaofeng Wang, Jing Zeng
Abstract
In order to overcome the problems of inferior cycling stability and slow ion diffusion of MnO2 cathode in aqueous zinc-ion battery, a high-accuracy customized 3D printed MnO2 cathode was prepared via direct ink writing. The rheological test showed that the printing ink indicated shear-thinning behavior with the storage modulus platform value over 105 Pa. The SEM images displayed that the customized mesh—layer structure was well maintained after 100 cycles. The 3D structure with excellent mechanical strength could effectively alleviate the internal stress and provide a greater specific surface area. The specific capacity of the 3D printing cathode was three times higher than that of the 2D one at 50 mA/g after 110 stable cycles. The energy storage mechanism of the reversible Mn2+/Mn4+ double redox for 3D printing battery was also studied through a variety of ex-situ experiments.