Supramolecular channels via crown ether functionalized polyaniline for proton-self-doped cathode in aqueous zinc-ion battery

Polyaniline (PANI) has been widely used as a cathode in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) because of its attractive conductivity and energy storage capability. However, the extensive application of PANI is limited by spontaneous deprotonation and slow diffusion kinetics. Herein, an 18-crown-6-functionalised PANI pseudorotaxane (18C6@PANI) cathode is successfully developed through a facile template-directed polymerisation reaction. The 18C6@PANI cathode exhibits a high specific capacity of 256 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A/g, excellent rate performance of 134 mAh g−1 at 6 A/g and outstanding cycle stability at a high current density of 3 A/g over 10,000 cycles. Experimental and theoretical analyses demonstrate the formation of the –N–Zn–O– structure. The abundant supramolecular channels in pseudorotaxane, induced by crown ether functional groups, are beneficial for achieving superior cyclability and rate capability. These encouraging results highlight the potential for designing more efficient PANI-based cathodes for high-performance AZIBs.