Multichannel\nPathways for Electron Transport in Batteries\nUsing Carbon Composite Conductive Materials

Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are gaining substantial\nattention as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage\napplications owing to their inherent safety, low cost, and eco-friendliness.\nHowever, despite numerous research efforts facilitating the advancement\nof this technology, the low electrical conductivity and inadequate\nutilization of the electrochemically active areas of manganese dioxide\n(MnO<sub>2</sub>), which is commonly used as a cathode material, have\nsignificantly limited the performance of these batteries. In this\nstudy, we formed high-conductivity network channels using carbon nanotubes\n(CNTs) as a conductive additive and provided oxygen functional groups\non the surface of the cathode through surface activation using plasma\ntreatment. Consequently, the CNT-incorporated and plasma-treated MnO<sub>2</sub> (PCB@CNT-MnO<sub>2</sub>) cathode exhibited increased capacity\n(280.8 mAh g<sup>–1</sup> at 0.3 A g<sup>–1</sup>) and\nrate capability (131.2 mAh g<sup>–1</sup> at 2.0 A g<sup>–1</sup>). Furthermore, it demonstrated high stability with a specific capacity\nof 141.0 mAh g<sup>–1</sup> after 300 cycles at 0.5 A g<sup>–1</sup>, proving the enhanced electrochemical performance\nof ZIBs. This approach presents a new practical strategy to achieve\na high energy density in ZIBs using MnO<sub>2</sub> cathodes.