Proton-preferential adsorption interface enabling interfacial ion regulation for stable and high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries

초록

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has led to an unprecedented surge in data center energy consumption, underscoring the urgent need for safe, stable, and high-performance energy storage systems (ESSs). Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation ESSs owing to their intrinsic safety and high theoretical capacity. However, MnO2-based cathodes, particularly β-MnO2, experience severe capacity fading resulting from structural instability and Mn dissolution. These issues are further exacerbated by the competitive co-insertion of H+ and Zn2+ in aqueous electrolytes. Herein, we propose a proton-preferential adsorption interface (PPAI) as a novel interfacial engineering strategy to regulate ion transport at the cathode–electrolyte interface. By introducing a ZnV2O6-based interfacial layer onto the MnO2 cathode, the PPAI selectively adsorbs protons, thereby mitigating competitive diffusion between H+ and Zn2+ and suppressing excessive proton penetration into the bulk electrode. This interfacial modulation promotes Zn2+-dominated insertion, enhancing ion diffusion kinetics, reducing charge-transfer resistance, and improving electrochemical reversibility. As a result, the PPAI-enabled ZIB shows improved rate capability, superior cycling stability, and suppressed Mn dissolution versus the pristine system. These results highlight interfacial proton regulation, rather than bulk modification, as an effective strategy to enhance MnO2 cathode performance and durability. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.

키워드