Structural regulation of VS₄ cathodes for enhanced aqueous zinc-ion battery performance

VS₄has garnered significant attentions in aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to its unique structural features and high theoretical capacity. Unfortunately, the volumetric changes and sluggish kinetics of VS₄during the electrochemical process often lead to material degradation and structural collapse, thereby limiting the performance of AZIBs. To address these challenges, we propose a structural engineering strategy for VS₄to regulate its microstructure through a simple hydrothermal method. This approach enhances the number of active sites and facilitates the diffusion of Zn²⁺ions, thereby improving the electrochemical performance of VS₄in AZIBs. The AZIBs using VS₄flower (F-VS₄) as the cathode material exhibit significantly enhanced electrochemical performance. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of F-VS₄is further elucidated by<i>ex-situ</i>x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. This work represents a significant step forward in the development of vanadium sulfide-based cathodes for AZIBs, offering a promising strategy to enhance their electrochemical performance and stability.