Vertically Aligned MXene-ZnNi2S4-ZnNi2O4 Nanoflake Ensemble Achieves 329.1 F/g Capacitance for Multifunctional Energy Storage Cathode

September 13, 2026

Nanoscale | The Royal Society of Chemistry UK

Overview

Researchers developed a vertically aligned MXene-ZnNi2S4-ZnNi2O4 nanoflake ensemble, successfully demonstrating its potential as a versatile cathode for multivalent metal ion storage. This innovative electrode exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 329.1 F/g in an ammonium-ion supercapacitor. Furthermore, it delivered specific capacities of 139.6 mAh/g in a Zn||MZNS cell and 244 mAh/g in an Al||MZNS configuration, with the latter maintaining 90% capacity retention after 769 cycles, paving the way for next-generation high-performance energy storage devices.

In Depth

Key Findings

Researchers have developed and demonstrated a vertically aligned MXene-ZnNi2S4-ZnNi2O4 nanoflake ensemble as a single, multifunctional cathode material applicable to multivalent metal ion storage. This innovative electrode achieved an impressive maximum specific capacitance of 329.1 F/g in an ammonium-ion supercapacitor. Moreover, it delivered specific capacities of 139.6 mAh/g in a Zn||MZNS cell and 244 mAh/g in an Al||MZNS configuration, with the latter exhibiting excellent performance by maintaining 90% capacity retention after 769 cycles.

Technical / Clinical Details

The developed MXene-ZnNi2S4-ZnNi2O4 nanoflake ensemble combines the excellent conductivity of MXene with the distinct structural and electrochemical properties of ZnNi2S4 and ZnNi2O4. Its vertically aligned architecture significantly shortens ion transport pathways and maximizes the effective surface area, enabling fast charge-discharge reactions and high energy density. The layered structure of MXene facilitates smooth insertion/extraction of multivalent metal ions while simultaneously improving the mechanical stability of the electrode. The sulfide and oxide hybrid provides abundant active sites and superior catalytic activity, achieving both high storage capacity for various ion species and stable cycling performance. The long-term cycle stability, particularly in the Al||MZNS configuration, represents a significant advantage for practical application.

Background & Context

Modern society demands high-performance energy storage devices for various applications, including portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy grids. While conventional lithium-ion batteries are widely used, they face challenges related to lithium resource constraints, safety concerns, and cost. Consequently, there is intense research activity on next-generation batteries and supercapacitors based on more abundant and inexpensive multivalent metal ions such as sodium, zinc, aluminum, and ammonium. MXene-based materials, due to their excellent electrochemical properties, are particularly noteworthy in these fields, and the development of multifunctional cathode materials is key to accelerating the practical realization of these alternative energy storage technologies.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This MXene-ZnNi2S4-ZnNi2O4 nanoflake ensemble holds great promise for various energy storage applications, including ammonium-ion supercapacitors and multivalent metal-ion batteries, owing to its high performance and stability. Future research will focus on scaling up the material production, optimizing manufacturing costs, and integrating it into practical device designs. This type of innovative material development is expected to contribute to more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions, bringing new business opportunities to related industries.

Source: https://pubs.rsc.org/nr/article/doi/10.1039/D6NR02054B/1299049/Single-cathode-material-for-multifunctional-energy

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