Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained considerable attention as promising cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) because of their tunable interlayer architecture and rich active sites for Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage. However, unmodified TMDs face significant ch...

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Main Authors: Shuang Fan, Yangyang Gong, Suliang Chen, Yingmeng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/754
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author Shuang Fan
Yangyang Gong
Suliang Chen
Yingmeng Zhang
author_facet Shuang Fan
Yangyang Gong
Suliang Chen
Yingmeng Zhang
author_sort Shuang Fan
collection DOAJ
description Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained considerable attention as promising cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) because of their tunable interlayer architecture and rich active sites for Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage. However, unmodified TMDs face significant challenges, including limited redox activity, sluggish kinetics, and insufficient structural stability during cycling. These limitations are primarily attributed to their narrow interlayer spacing, strong electrostatic interactions, the large ionic hydration radius, and their high binding energy of Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions. To address these restrictions, an in situ organic polyaniline (PANI) intercalation strategy is proposed to construct molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>)-based cathodes with extended layer spacing, thereby improving the zinc storage capabilities. The intercalation of PANI effectively enhances interplanar spacing of MoS<sub>2</sub> from 0.63 nm to 0.98 nm, significantly facilitating rapid Zn<sup>2+</sup> diffusion. Additionally, the π-conjugated electron structure introduced by PANI effectively shields the electrostatic interaction between Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions and the MoS<sub>2</sub> host, thereby promoting Zn<sup>2+</sup> diffusion kinetics. Furthermore, PANI also serves as a structural stabilizer, maintaining the integrity of the MoS<sub>2</sub> layers during Zn-ion insertion/extraction processes. Furthermore, the conductive conjugated PANI boosts the ionic and electronic conductivity of the electrodes. As expected, the PANI–MoS<sub>2</sub> electrodes exhibit exceptional electrochemical performance, delivering a high specific capacity of 150.1 mA h g<sup>−1</sup> at 0.1 A g<sup>−1</sup> and retaining 113.3 mA h g<sup>−1</sup> at 1 A g<sup>−1</sup>, with high capacity retention of 81.2% after 500 cycles. Ex situ characterization techniques confirm the efficient and reversible intercalation/deintercalation of Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions within the PANI–MoS<sub>2</sub> layers. This work supplies a rational interlayer engineering strategy to optimize the electrochemical performance of MoS<sub>2</sub>-based electrodes. By addressing the structural and kinetic limitations of TMDs, this approach offers new insights into the development of high-performance AZIBs for energy storage applications.
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spelling doaj-art-cdd444515d4345ffb751f55be39dcdc32025-08-20T03:36:12ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-06-0116775410.3390/mi16070754Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion BatteriesShuang Fan0Yangyang Gong1Suliang Chen2Yingmeng Zhang3School of Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen City Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518100, ChinaSunwoda Mobility Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518132, ChinaSchool of Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing, Shenzhen City Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518100, ChinaYangtze Delta Region Institute (Huzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Huzhou 313000, ChinaLayered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained considerable attention as promising cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) because of their tunable interlayer architecture and rich active sites for Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage. However, unmodified TMDs face significant challenges, including limited redox activity, sluggish kinetics, and insufficient structural stability during cycling. These limitations are primarily attributed to their narrow interlayer spacing, strong electrostatic interactions, the large ionic hydration radius, and their high binding energy of Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions. To address these restrictions, an in situ organic polyaniline (PANI) intercalation strategy is proposed to construct molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>)-based cathodes with extended layer spacing, thereby improving the zinc storage capabilities. The intercalation of PANI effectively enhances interplanar spacing of MoS<sub>2</sub> from 0.63 nm to 0.98 nm, significantly facilitating rapid Zn<sup>2+</sup> diffusion. Additionally, the π-conjugated electron structure introduced by PANI effectively shields the electrostatic interaction between Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions and the MoS<sub>2</sub> host, thereby promoting Zn<sup>2+</sup> diffusion kinetics. Furthermore, PANI also serves as a structural stabilizer, maintaining the integrity of the MoS<sub>2</sub> layers during Zn-ion insertion/extraction processes. Furthermore, the conductive conjugated PANI boosts the ionic and electronic conductivity of the electrodes. As expected, the PANI–MoS<sub>2</sub> electrodes exhibit exceptional electrochemical performance, delivering a high specific capacity of 150.1 mA h g<sup>−1</sup> at 0.1 A g<sup>−1</sup> and retaining 113.3 mA h g<sup>−1</sup> at 1 A g<sup>−1</sup>, with high capacity retention of 81.2% after 500 cycles. Ex situ characterization techniques confirm the efficient and reversible intercalation/deintercalation of Zn<sup>2+</sup> ions within the PANI–MoS<sub>2</sub> layers. This work supplies a rational interlayer engineering strategy to optimize the electrochemical performance of MoS<sub>2</sub>-based electrodes. By addressing the structural and kinetic limitations of TMDs, this approach offers new insights into the development of high-performance AZIBs for energy storage applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/754MoS<sub>2</sub>PANIinterplanar spacingaqueous zinc-ion batteries
spellingShingle Shuang Fan
Yangyang Gong
Suliang Chen
Yingmeng Zhang
Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
Micromachines
MoS<sub>2</sub>
PANI
interplanar spacing
aqueous zinc-ion batteries
title Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
title_full Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
title_fullStr Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
title_full_unstemmed Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
title_short Interlayer-Spacing-Modification of MoS<sub>2</sub> via Inserted PANI with Fast Kinetics for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
title_sort interlayer spacing modification of mos sub 2 sub via inserted pani with fast kinetics for highly reversible aqueous zinc ion batteries
topic MoS<sub>2</sub>
PANI
interplanar spacing
aqueous zinc-ion batteries
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/7/754
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