Kinetic Trapping of a Nonequilibrium Mn–O–H Framework for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract Reconstruction chemistry governs the electrochemical performance of manganese-based cathodes but also induces structural instability and rapid degradation. Regulating this activation process is dynamic process remains challenging due to the difficulty of stabilizing metastable local environments within crystalline frameworks. Herein, we report a kinetic trapping strategy via rapid Joule heating (RJH) to construct a nonequilibrium Mn–O–H framework featuring lattice expansion and hydroxyl-enriched coordination while maintaining long-range crystallinity. Mechanistically, the unique nonequilibrium structure improves electrolyte wettability, facilitates electrochemical activation, and regulates a highly reversible reconstruction process. Consequently, the resulting sample delivers a high reversible capacity of ∼619.9 mAh g–1 at 0.2 A g–1 and maintains 116.3 mAh g–1 after 2000 cycles at 3.0 A g–1. This work highlights kinetic trapping as an effective strategy for engineering nonequilibrium oxide frameworks and regulating reconstruction chemistry for advanced aqueous ZIBs.