Exploiting the synergistic effect of multiphase MnO2 stabilized by an integrated conducting network for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

delta-MnO2 is a typical oxide with a large layered structure for rapid Zn-ion (Zn2+) accommodation capability and widely studied as a cathode material in aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs). However, structural instability and Mn dissolution are two major obstacles for its application in the fabrication of ZIBs with a long cycle life. Herein, a "three-in-one" strategy was applied to design a multiphase MnO2-based composite (delta-MnO2 and alpha-MnO2) on carbon cloth through constructing an integrated continuous conducting network of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and the aforementioned issues in delta-MnO2 were tackled without compromising on rapid Zn2+ transportation, which originates from the excellent hydrophilicity and the synergism of multiphase MnO2 and an integrated conducting network. When applied as the cathode material for aqueous ZIBs, a large capacity release of 360 mA h g(-1) at 0.1C and impressive durability over 860 cycles with 78% capacity retention at 1C were achieved, representing a promising cathode structure design for MnO2 based cathodes.