Manganese
oxide is considered as a cathode material with great
application potential for zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). However, the
dissolution, low electrical conductivity, and slow ion diffusion rate
of manganese oxide are the main limiting factors to its rate capacity
and cycle stability. Here, K-doped α-MnO2 nanowires
were employed as cathode materials for ZIBs in conjunction with kaolinite
(KL) as an electrolyte additive. The combination of ion doping and
the KL electrolyte additive made the batteries exhibit remarkable
zinc energy storage properties, including an improved capacity of
226 mAh g–1, excellent cycle stability with a capacity
retention rate of 99.5% at 0.5 A g–1 after 270 cycles,
and improved rate performances. The expansion of the tunnel structure
spacing in supported α-MnO2 induced by K+ intercalation intentionally creates additional space for the efficient
transportation of H+/Zn2+ ions during the discharge/charge
process. The KL electrolyte additive improves the ion conductivity
of the battery. The evolution of diffraction peaks and morphological
changes of 5ZHS, 0.5ZHS, ZnMn2O4, and MnOOH
during the discharge/charge process demonstrate the cointercalation
of the H+/Zn2+ mechanism.