Synthesizing 1D Molybdenum/2D Vanadium-Based Heterostructures for Zinc Batteries

Heterostructure materials with synergistic effects, abundant heterointerfaces, and excellent structural stability are promising for the development of advanced aqueous zinc batteries. Among them, one-/two-dimensional (1D/2D) heterostructures can combine the unique advantages of 1D and 2D materials. Herein, a series of 1D molybdenum/2D vanadium-based heterostructures are controllably constructed via the wet chemical process followed by thermal treatment. First, the controlled synthesis of 1D/2D heterostructures composed of 1D molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanobelts and 2D hydrated vanadium pentoxide (V2O5·1.6H2O) nanosheets is achieved. Experimental analyses and theoretical calculations reveal that the 1D (MoO3)1/2D (V2O5·1.6H2O)1 heterostructure (the component molar ratio: 1:1) exhibits superior electrochemical performance when used as the cathode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Then, using the 1D (MoO3)1/2D (V2O5·1.6H2O)1 heterostructure as the precursor, via in situ topological transformation, a series of 1D/2D heterostructures including 1D (MoS2)1/2D (V2O3)1, 1D (MoN)1/2D (V2O3)1, 1D (MoO2@MoO3)1/2D (V2O3)1, and 1D (MoO3)1/2D (V6O13@V2O5)1 are successfully synthesized. The 1D (MoS2)1/2D (V2O3)1 heterostructure facilitates iodine cathode conversion and suppresses the polyiodide shuttle in aqueous zinc–iodine batteries. The controlled construction of 1D/2D heterostructures presents opportunities for energy storage and conversion applications, such as next-generation battery active materials and high-performance catalytic materials.