Layered VO2@N-doped carbon composites for high-performance rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries

The electrochemical performance of rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) to a great extent depends on the conductivity and structural stability of the cathode material. Herein, we report a facile calcination process to prepare the composite of VO2 and amorphous N-doped carbon using ultrathin V6O13 nanobelts coated with polydopamine as precursors. The amorphous structure of N-doped carbon enables the layered VO2@N-doped carbon composites to have more active sites and higher conductivity, and the amorphous structure has less structural change during ion diffusion. Therefore, the VO2@N-doped carbon composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. This work should open a new and efficient avenue for designing the cathodes of AZIBs with excellent performance.