

FOLLOWUS
Youth Innovation Team of Shandong Higher Education Institutions, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Weifang Key Laboratory of Green Processing of Separator for Chemical Power Sources, School of Chemistry and Engineering, Weifang Vocational College, Weifang 261108, China
Corresponding author. E-mail address: jie.liu@qust.edu.cn(J. Liu)
Received:19 September 2025,
Revised:2026-01-06,
Accepted:14 January 2026,
Online First:30 March 2026,
Published:2026-06
Scan QR Code
Wan Jiajun, Tian Jiyang, Zhang Qian, et al. Constructing binder-free Bi2O3@nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes aerogel cathodes to boost polyiodide conversion kinetics by Bi-N bonds[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 94(6): 128-137.
Developing renewable green energy is one of key approaches to achieve dual carbon goals
which is supported by high-efficiency energy storage technologies. Aqueous Zn-I
2
batteries (AZIBs) are quite promising grid energy storage systems due to their intrinsic safety and low cost
but are plagued by polyiodide shuttling and sluggish conversion kinetics. To tackle the issues
a binder-free Bi
2
O
3
@N-CNTs aerogel elec
trode with hierarchical pore structure has been developed
featured by Bi
2
O
3
nanoparticles embedded in the N-doped CNTs matrix. Removing of polymer binder not only reduces the inactive component in the electrode but also avoids covering active sites. Notably
polyiodide affinity and catalytic capability of novel Bi
2
O
3
electrocatalyst can be enhanced significantly
via
the formation of Bi-N bonds
which has been demonstrated by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and systematic electrochemical tests. The resultant AZIB demonstrates superior cycling stability
maintaining a capacity of 148.7 mA·h·g
- 1
after 5000 cycles with a high capacity retention of 87.1%. Specially
the high-loading pouch cell can also deliver a stable capacity of 2mA·h over 40 cycles with an areal loading of 10 mg·cm
- 2
highlighting the practicality of the Bi
2
O
3
@N-CNTs aerogel electrode.
C. Peng, X. Mao, M. Zheng, M. Jaroniec, Y. Jiao, Y. Zheng, S.Z. Qiao, Ultradiluted (alkyl)ammonium enables acidic CO 2 electroreduction, ACS Catal. 15 (15) (2025) 13346-13352.
C.C. Kao, C. Ye, J.N. Hao, Y.J. Chen, S.J. Zhang, S.Z. Qiao, Achieving high energy density in aqueous zinc-ion batteries, Adv. Energy Mater. 15 (38) (2025) 2501201.
Y.X. Ding, K.M. Zhu, H.Q. Jin, W.X. Gao, B. Wang, S. Bian, R. He, J.H. Wang, H. Yang, K. Denis, X.F. Yu, C.Y. Zhi, C. Peng, Synergistic molecular engineering strategies for enhancing diffusion kinetics and interfacial stability of the δ-MnO 2 cathode in aqueous zinc-ion batteries, Carbon Energy 7(8)(2025)e70014.
W. Zong, J.T. Li, C.Y. Zhang, Y.H. Dai, Y. Ouyang, L.Q. Zhang, J.W. Li, W. Zhang, R.W. Chen, H.B. Dong, X. Gao, J.X. Zhu, I.P. Parkin, P.R. Shearing, F.L. Lai, K. Amine, T.X. Liu, G.J. He, Dynamical Janus interface design for reversible and fast-charging zinc-iodine battery under extreme operating conditions, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146 (31) (2024) 21377-21388.
M. Zhao, Y.Q. Lv, Y.K. Xu, H.C. Yang, Z. Bo, J. Lu, Ordered zinc electrodeposition from single-crystal units to polycrystalline stacking within solid-electrolyte interphase in battery anodes, Nat. Commun. 16 (1) (2025) 2843.
S.S. Bi, H.M . Wang, Y.Y. Zhang, M. Yang, Q.J. Li, J.L. Tian, Z.Q. Niu, Six-electron-redox iodine electrodes for high-energy aqueous batteries, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 135 (49) (2023) e202312982.
X.X. Li, W.Y. Xu, J.Z. Feng, Z.Q. Liu, N. Jiang, L.H. Ye, Y.L. Gao, Y. Ma, Z. Tao, Y.T. Duan, X.L. Li, Q. Yang, J.S. Qiu, Anion-cation synergy enables reversible sevenelectron redox chemistry for energetic aqueous zinc-iodine batteries, Nano Energy 138 (2025) 110884.
Y.Q. Yang, S.Q. Liang, B.G. Lu, J. Zhou, Eutectic electrolyte based on N-meth-ylacetamide for highly reversible zinc-iodine battery, Energy Environ. Sci. 15 (3) (2022) 1192-1200.
Y.Y. Liu, L.H. Zhang, L. Liu, Q.W. Ma, R. Wang, P. Xiong, H.B. Li, S.L. Zhang, J.N. Hao, C.F. Zhang, All-climate energy-dense cascade aqueous Zn-I 2 batteries enabled by a polycationic hydrogel electrolyte, Adv. Mater. 37 (46) (2025) e2415979.
C. Wu, Y.F. Pan, Y.C. Jiao, P.Y. Wu, α-methyl group reinforced amphiphilic poly(ionic liquid) additive for high-performance zinc-iodine batteries, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (21) (2025) e202423326.
Q. Zhang, Y.L. Ma, Y. Lu, Y.X. Ni, L. Lin, Z.K. Hao, Z.H. Yan, Q. Zhao, J. Chen, Halogenated Zn 2+ solvation structure for reversible Zn metal batteries, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144 (40) (2022) 18435-18443.
D.Y. Guan, Z.H. Deng, W. Luo, C.J. Cheng, F.Y. Wang, H.W. Cai, R.X. Chen, P. W ang, M.Y. Wu, C.J. Han, Z.Y. Liu, D.L. Ma, L.Q. Mai, π-d conjugated coordination mediated catalysis for four-electron-transfer fast-charging aqueous zinc-iodine batteries, Matter 8 (3) (2025) 101932.
S.J. Zhang, J.N. Hao, H. Li, P.F. Zhang, Z.W. Yin, Y.Y. Li, B.K. Zhang, Z. Lin, S.Z. Qiao, Polyiodide confinement by starch enables shuttle-free Zn-iodine batteries, Adv. Mater. 34 (23) (2022) e2201716.
W.Y. Du, Q. Huang, X.W. Zheng, Y.K. Lv, L. Miao, Z.Y. Song, L.H. Gan, M.X. Liu, High-conversion-efficiency and stable six-electron Zn-I 2 batteries enabled by organic iodide/thiazole-linked covalent organic frameworks, Energy Environ. Sci. 18 (13) (2025) 6540-6547.
Z.Y. Zheng, S.J. Guo, M.Y. Yan, Y.Z. Luo, F.F. Cao, A functional Janus Ag nanowires/bacterial cellulose separator for high-performance dendrite-free zinc anode under harsh conditions, Adv. Mater. 35 (47) (2023) e2304667.
H.J. Yang, Y. Qiao, Z. Chang, H. Deng, P. He, H.S. Zhou, A metal-organic framework as a multifunctional ionic sieve membrane for long-life aqueous zinc-iodide batteries, Adv. Mater. 32 (38) (2020) 2004240.
P. Yang, K. Zhang, S.Z. Liu, W.B. Zhuang, Z.P. Shao, K.P. Zhu, L. Lin, G.D. Guo, W. H. Wang, Q.C. Zhang, Y.G. Yao, Ionic selective separator design enables long-life zinc-iodine batteries via synergistic anode stabilization and polyiodide shuttle suppression, Adv. Funct. Mater. 34 (52) (2024) 2410712.
H. Ma, H.L. Chen, M.F. Chen, A.X. Li, X. Han, D.T. Ma, P.X. Zhang, J.Z. Chen, Biomimetic and biodegradable separator with high modulus and large ionic conductivity enables dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries, Nat. Commun. 16 (1) (2025) 1014.
W.H. Liu, H. Ma, L.L. Zhao, W.W. Qian, B. Liu, J.Z. Chen, Y.G. Yao, Anionically-reinforced nanocellulose separator enables dual suppression of zinc dendrites and polyiodide shuttle for long-cycle Zn-I 2 batteries, Nano-Micro Lett. 18 (1) (2025) 59.
T.T. Su, W.F. Ren, M. Xu, P.W. Xu, J.B. Le, X. Ji, H.Z. Dou, R.C. Sun, Z.W. Chen, In situ construction of bionic self-recognition layer for high-performance zinciodine batteries, Adv. Energy Mater. 14 (37) (2024) 2401737.
D. Tang, X.Y. Zhang, D.L. Han, C.J. Cui, Z.S. Han, L. Wang, Z.G. Li, B. Zhang, Y.X. Liu, Z. Weng, Q.H. Yang, Switching hydrophobic interface with ionic valves for reversible zinc batteries, Adv. Mater. 36 (33) (2024) e2406071.
Y.T. Xu, M.H. Zhang, R. Tang, S.Y. Li, C.X. Sun, Z.H. Lv, W.H. Yang, Z.P. Wen, C. C. Li, X. Li, Y. Yang, A plant root cell-inspired interphase layer for practical aqueous zinc-iodine batteries with super-high areal capacity and long lifespan, Energy Environ. Sci. 17 (18) (2024) 6656-6665.
Q.Z. Gou, H.R. Luo, Q. Zhang, J.B. Deng, R.Z. Zhao, O. Odunmbaku, L. Wang, L.J. Li, Y.J. Zheng, J. Li, D.L. Chao, M. Li, Electrolyte regulation of bio-inspired zincophilic additive toward high-performance dendrite-free aqueous zincion batteries, Small 19 (10) (2023) e2207502.
S.J. Zhang, H.S. Ao, J.J. Dong, D.D. Wang, C.G. Wang, X.J. Xu, Z.G. Hou, J. Yang, Dipole moment dictates the preferential immobilization in gel electrolytes for Ah-level aqueous zinc-metal batteries, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 64 (2) (2025) e202414702.
W.S. Shang, J.H. Zhu, Y. Liu, L.T. Kang, S.Y. Liu, B.K. Huang, J.S. Song, X.M. Li, F. Y. Jiang, W. Du, Y.F. Gao, H.J. Luo, Establishing high-performance quasi-solid Zn/I 2 batteries with alginate-based hydrogel electrolytes, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13 (21) (2021) 24756-24764.
W. Li, M.F. Chen, Q.Q. Zhou, X.X. Mi, H.R. Zhao, B. Liu, J.Z. Chen, Y.G. Yao, Combining inner Helmholtz plane adjustment and Gibbs-Thomson effect to enable ultra-high utilization of zinc electrodes and inhibit polyiodide shuttling, Adv. Funct. Mater. 36 (4) (2026) e13773.
D. Adekoya, S.S. Qian, X.X. Gu, W. Wen, D.S. Li, J.M. Ma, S.Q. Zhang, DFT-guided design and fabrication of carbon-nitride-based materials for energy storage devices: a review, Nano-Micro Lett. 13 (1) (2020) 13.
S.K. Chong, M. Ma, L.L. Yuan, S.Y. Qiao, S.H. Dong, H.K. Liu, S.X. Dou, Hierarchical encapsulation and rich sp 2 N assist Sb 2 Se 3 -based conversion-alloying anode for long-life sodium- and potassium-ion storage, Energy Environ. Mater. 6 (6) (2023) e12458.
K.K. Abdalla, M.Y. Liu, K.K. Abdalla, Q. Li, Y.Y. Wang, M. Xu, Y. Zhao, X.M. Sun, Co-regulated proton confinem ent and uptake mechanisms for ultra-fast and robust aqueous Zn-organic batteries, Chem. Eng. J. 521 (2025) 166234.
Y.X. Wang, M. Li, Y. Zhang, N.Q. Zhang, Hard carbon for sodium storage:mechanism and performance optimization, Nano Res. 17 (7) (2024) 6038-6057.
T.T. Liu, H.J. Wang, C.J. Lei, Y. Mao, H.Q. Wang, X. He, X. Liang, Recognition of the catalytic activities of graphitic N for zinc-iodine batteries, Energy Storage Mater. 53 (2022) 544-551.
M.M. Liu, Q.W. Chen, X.Y. Cao, D.X. Tan, J.Z. Ma, J.T. Zhang, Physicochemical confinement effect enables high-performing zinc-iodine batteries, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144 (47) (2022) 21683-21691.
X. Jia, J.Y. Tian, Q. Zhang, J.J. Wan, H.J. Song, Y. Xie, J. Liu, Engineering electron cloud density to achieve bifunctional electrophilic hosts for aqueous Zn-I 2 batteries with ultrahigh rate property and cycling stability, Adv. Funct. Mater. 36 (3) (2026) e12022.
X.H. Chen, P.C. Ye, H.Y. Wang, H. Huang, Y.J. Zhong, Y. Hu, Discriminating active B-N sites in coralloidal B, N dual-doped carbon nanobundles for boosted Zn-ion storage capability, Adv. Funct. Mater. 33 (12) (2023) 2212915.
T.T. Liu, C.J. Lei, H.J. Wang, J.Y. Li, P.J. Jiang, X. He, X. Liang, Aqueous electrolyte with weak hydrogen bonds for four-electron zinc-iodine battery operates in a wide temperature range, Adv. Mater. 36 (32) (2024) e2405473.
L.J. Tang, J. Gao, T. Shen, Y.B. Sun, X.Y. Wang, Y.C. Zhang, T.S. Mu, X.D. Zhu, N, O co-doped porous carbon host with interconnected reaction microenvironments for long-life zinc-iodine batteries, Chem. Eng. J. 517 (2025) 164383.
J.L. Yang, H.H. Liu, X.X. Zhao, X.Y. Zhang, K.Y. Zhang, M.Y. Ma, Z.Y. Gu, J.M. Cao, X.L. Wu, Janus binder chemistry for synchronous enhancement of iodine species adsorption and redox kinetics toward sustainable aqueous Zn-I 2 batteries, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 146 (10) (2024) 6628-6637.
J. Zhang, C. Qiu, C.C. Zhou, S. Guo, Y.T. Gao, F.L. Li, X.Y. Wang, Z.W. Zhao, Z.Y. Xing, J. Li, P. Rao, Z.Y. Kang, X.L. Tian, X.D. Shi, Liner-chain polysaccharide binders with strong chemisorption capability for iodine species enables shuttle-free zinc-iodine batteries, Nano Energy 133 (2025) 110519.
S. Ishaq, H.T. Ma, Y.Z. Li, G. Nikiforidis, Design and optimization of binder-free rGO/AlO(OH)/Al 2 O 3 aerogels for energy storage, Mater. Today Sustain. 31 (2025) 101217.
T. Yamamoto, M. Hishinuma, A. Yamamoto, Zn|ZnI 2 |iodine secondary battery using iodine-nylon-6 adduct as positive electrode, and its charge-discharge performance, Inorg. Chim. Acta. 86 (2) (1984) L47-L49.
L. Zhang, K.X. Zhou, X.K. Dai, C.J. Lu, J. Li, Y. Yang, G.Y. Huang, S.M. Xu, High-specific-energy self-supporting cathodes for flexible en ergy storage devices:progress and perspective, Adv. Energy Mater. 14 (41) (2024) 2402400.
Y. Liu, K. Tan, S. Liu, X. Zhang, M.Q. Shen, X.S. Liu, X.Y. Gao, L.R. Hou, C.Z. Yuan, Self-assemble construction of hetero-structured Co(OH) 2 /MXene aerogel toward Li-S batteries as a self-supported host and bifunctional catalyst, Rare Met. 43 (11) (2024) 5652-5663.
M. Zhang, C.X. Lu, Z.H. Bi, X.L. Xu, X.D. Ren, X.Z. Li, K. Lu, S.X. Yuan, Preparation of highly pyrrolic-nitrogen-doped carbon aerogels for lithium-sulfur batteries, Chemelectrochem 8 (5) (2021) 895-902.
Q. Deng, F.Z. Liu, X.W. Wu, C.Z. Li, W.B. Zhou, B. Long, An aqueous BiI 3 -Zn battery with dual mechanisms of Zn 2+ (de)intercalation and I- /I 2 redox, J. Energy Chem. 89 (2024) 670-678.
C.Y. Yang, Q. Zhang, T. Li, X.H. Chen, X.L. Li, H.Q. Luo, N.B. Li, Binary ruthenium dioxide and nickel oxide ultrafine particles loaded on carbon nanotubes for high-stability oxygen evolution reaction at high current densities, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 677 (2025) 323-330.
S. Lee, S.B. Yang, K. Lee, Y. Jung, J. Choi, T. Kim, P.J. Kim, Dendrite-suppressed Li deposition enabled by surface-tailored carbon-based current collectors for high-rate and stable Li-metal batteries, Carbon 221 (2024) 118941.
C.H. Xiao, Y.X. Guo, J.Y. Sun, T. Guo, X.Y. Jia, S.N. Guo, G.C. Wu, Y. Sun, Z.Y. Yao, Y. Liu, Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia at low concentration by copper-cobalt oxide nanowires with shell-core structure, Nano Res. 17 (6) (2024) 5087-5094.
S.J. Wang, H.Y. Wang, C.Q. Huang, P.C. Ye, X.T. Luo, J.Q. Ning, Y.J. Zhong, Y. Hu, Trifunctional electrocatalyst of N-doped graphitic carbon nanosheets encapsulated with CoFe alloy nanocrystals: the key roles of bimetal components and high-content graphitic-N, Appl. Catal. B Environ. 298 (2021) 120512.
S. Xu, Z.R. Jia, D. Lan, Z.G. Gao, S.Y. Zhang, G.L. Wu, Synergistic polarization relaxation in heteroatom-optimized heterointerfaces for electromagnetic wave absorption, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (30) (2025) 2500304.
C.J. Zhang, C. Ma, W.W. Zhang, Y.Q. Wang, Z.U. Rehman, X.Q. Shen, S.S. Yao, CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles modified amidation of N-doped carbon nanofibers hybrid catalysts to accelerate electrochemical kinetics of Li-S batteries with high sulfur loading, Chem. Eng. J. 481 (2024) 148374.
Y.Q. Wang, E. Indubala, C. Ma, C.J. Zhang, L.M. Xiao, B. Lv, S.S. Yao, Electrospun heteroatoms-doped porous carbon nanofiber networks as free-standing and binder-free electrode for room temperature sodium sulfur batteries, J. Energy Storage 121 (2025) 116575.
R.R. Wang, C. Ma, C. Li, W.W. Zhang, C.J. Zhang, J.L. Wang, L.M. Xiao, B. Lv, S. Guo, S.S. Yao, Keggin-type potassium phosphotungstate modified functionalization of carbon nanotubes hybrid materials for capture and boost conversion of polysulfides in lithium sulfur batteries, J. Energy Storage 109 (2025) 115168.
S.S. Yao, H.T. Liu, C.J. Zhang, W.W. Zhang, C. Ma, Z.U. Rehman, X.Q. Shen, Enhanced polysulfides conversion with hybrid bipolar membrane composed of CoSe 2 and amide-functionalized CNTs composites for lithium sulfur batteries, J. Energy Storage 78 (2024) 110087.
T. Brezesinski, J. Wang, S.H. Tolbert, B. Dunn, Ordered mesoporous α-MoO 3 with iso-oriented nanocrystalline walls for thin-film pseudocapacitors, Nat. Mater. 9 (2) (2010) 146-151.
J. Wang, J. Polleux, J. Lim, B. Dunn, Pseudocapacitive contributions to electrochemical energy storage in TiO 2 (anatase) nanoparticles, J. Phys. Chem. C 111 (40) (2007) 14925-14931.
C.F. Guo, Y.N. Cao, Y. Gao, C.W. Zhi, Y.X. Wang, Y.H. Luo, X.J. Yang, X.P. Luo, Cobalt single-atom electrocatalysts enhanced by hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks for long-lasting zinc-iodine batteries, Adv. Funct. Mater. 34 (18) (2024) 2314189.
Y.L. He, M.M. Liu, S. Chen, J.T. Zhang, Shapeable carbon fiber networks with hierarchical porous structure for high-performance Zn-I 2 batteries, Sci. China Chem. 65 (2) (2022) 391-398.
L.S. Wei, X. Zhang, X. Li, C.X. Chen, D.F. Yu, G.Y. Zhao, Confinement of iodine species into oxygen doped hierarchical porous carbon host for high loading zinc-iodine batteries, J. Electroanal. Chem. 967 (2024) 118452.
L.T. Ma, Y.R. Ying, S.M. Chen, Z.D. Huang, X.L. Li, H.T. Huang, C.Y. Zhi, Electrocatalytic iodine reduction reaction enabled by aqueous zinc-iodine battery with improved power and energy densities, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60 (7) (2021) 3791-3798.
L.Q. Zhang, M.J. Zhang, H.L. Guo, Z.H. Tian, L.F. Ge, G.J. He, J.J. Huang, J.T. Wang, T.X. Liu, I.P. Parkin, F.L. Lai, A universal polyiodide regulation using quaternization engineering toward high value-added and ultra-stable zinciodine batteries, Adv. Sci. 9 (13) (2022) 2105598.
M.S. Zhang, Y.Z. Hou, Y.J. Zhu, M.M. Ren, X.X. Cai, Q.Z. Liu, C.D. Qiao, W.L. Liu, J.S. Yao, Nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon for high-performance zinciodine batteries, J. Electroanal. Chem. 976 (2025) 118798.
R.L. Zhang, C.K. Hong, C.Y. Yu, Y.F. Zhou, Multifunctional alternating copolymer nanoflower iodine hosts for long-term zinc-iodine batteries, Chemistry 31 (29) (2025) e202500763.
Y. Ji, J.W. Xu, Z.R. Wang, M.M. Ren, Y. Wu, W.L. Liu, J.S. Yao, C.B. Zhang, H. Zhao, Nitrogen-doped litchi-shell derived porous carbon as an efficient iodine host for zinc-iodine batteries, J. Electroanal. Chem. 931 (2023) 117188.
Y.Q. Xu, Y.X. Li, H.F. Jia, B.Q. Liu, C.G. Wang, L. Li, Hierarchical micromesoporous carbon firmly confined iodine for high performance zinciodine batteries, Mater. Lett. 353 (2023) 135241.
M.X. Li, G.Y. Zhao, D.F. Yu, C.X. Chen, Chitin derived carbons as surface chemical adsorption host for high performance aqueous zinc-iodine batteries, ChemistrySelect 10 (17) (2025) e202405961.
W. Li, K.L. Wang, K. Jiang, A high energy efficiency and long life aqueous Zn-I 2 battery, J. Mater. Chem. A 8 (7) (2020) 3785-3794.
0
Views
0
Downloads
0
CSCD
Publicity Resources
Related Articles
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010102001993号