Electrochemically Induced Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Amorphous V2O5 for Superior Rate Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Abstract The electrochemical performance of vanadium‐oxide‐based cathodes in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) depends on their degree of crystallinity and composite state with carbon materials. An in situ electrochemical induction strategy was developed to fabricate a metal–organic‐framework‐derived composite of amorphous V 2 O 5 and carbon materials (a‐V 2 O 5 @C) for the first time, where V 2 O 5 is in an amorphous state and uniformly distributed in the carbon framework. The amorphous structure endows V 2 O 5 with more isotropic Zn 2+ diffusion routes and active sites, resulting in fast Zn 2+ transport and high specific capacity. The porous carbon framework provides a continuous electron transport pathway and ion diffusion channels. As a result, the a‐V 2 O 5 @C composites display extraordinary electrochemical performance. This work will pave the way toward design of ZIB cathodes with superior rate performance.