Flexible Electronic Systems via Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing: A MnSe@rGO Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are promising candidates to power flexible integrated functional systems because they are safe and environmentally friendly. Among the numerous cathode materials proposed, Mn-based compounds, particularly MnO₂, have attracted special attention because of their high energy density, nontoxicity, and low cost. However, the cathode materials reported so far are characterized by sluggish Zn²⁺ storage kinetics and moderate stabilities. Herein, a ZIB cathode based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-coated MnSe nanoparticles (MnSe@rGO) is proposed. After MnSe was activated to α-MnO₂, the ZIB exhibits a specific capacity of up to 290 mAh g^-1. The mechanism underlying the improvement in the electrochemical performance of the MnSe@rGO based electrode is investigated using a series of electrochemical tests and first-principles calculations. Additionally, in situ Raman spectroscopy is used to track the phase transition of the MnSe@rGO cathodes during the initial activation, proving the structural evolution from the LO to MO₆ mode. Because of the high mechanical stability of MnSe@rGO, flexible miniaturized energy storage devices can be successfully printed using a high-precision electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printer and integrated with a touch-controlled light-emitting diode array system, demonstrating the application of flexible EHD jet-printed microbatteries.