Influence of calcination temperature on the zinc storage performance of ZnMn2O4 as a cathode material for zinc-ion batteries

ZnMn 2 O 4 is a promising cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries owing to its high voltage and eco-friendliness. This study synthesizes ZnMn 2 O 4 via coprecipitation and calcination (600–900 °C), investigating temperature effects on structure and performance. Increasing calcination temperature enhances crystallinity and particle size, with optimal results at 800 °C. The ZMO-800 sample exhibits uniform 50–100 nm nanoparticles forming a porous architecture, delivering superior zinc storage: 124.8 mAh g −1 after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g −1 (88.7 % retention) and 136 mAh g −1 at 3.0 A g −1 . Enhanced performance stems from improved crystallinity , nanoscale particles, and high surface area. Mechanism analysis via CV, EIS, GITT, and ex-situ XRD/Raman/SEM reveals stable electrochemical behavior. This work provides a simple strategy to optimize ZnMn 2 O 4 cathodes for high-performance ZIBs .