Intercalant-induced V <i>t</i> <sub> <i>2</i> </sub> <i> <sub>g</sub> </i> orbital occupation in vanadium oxide cathode toward fast-charging aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Yixiu Wang, Shiqiang Wei, Zheng‐Hang Qi, Shuangming Chen, Kefu Zhu, Honghe Ding, Yuyang Cao, Quan Zhou, Changda Wang, Pengjun Zhang, Xin Guo, Xiya Yang, Xiaojun Wu, Li Song
Abstract
Intercalation-type layered oxides have been widely explored as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). Although high-rate capability has been achieved based on the pillar effect of various intercalants for widening interlayer space, an in-depth understanding of atomic orbital variations induced by intercalants is still unknown. Herein, we design an NH 4 + -intercalated vanadium oxide (NH 4 + -V 2 O 5 ) for high-rate ZIBs, together with deeply investigating the role of the intercalant in terms of atomic orbital. Besides extended layer spacing, our X-ray spectroscopies reveal that the insertion of NH 4 + could promote electron transition to 3 d xy state of V t 2 g orbital in V 2 O 5 , which significantly accelerates the electron transfer and Zn-ion migration, further verified by DFT calculations. As results, the NH 4 + -V 2 O 5 electrode delivers a high capacity of 430.0 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 , especially excellent rate capability (101.0 mA h g −1 at 200 C), enabling fast charging within 18 s. Moreover, the reversible V t 2 g orbital and lattice space variation during cycling are found via ex-situ soft X-ray absorption spectrum and in-situ synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction, respectively. This work provides an insight at orbital level in advanced cathode materials.