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Bismuth(III) sulfide (Bi 2 S 3) is a promising cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), yet suffers from serious capacity issues due to its poor electrical conductivity and microstructural degradations. In this work, Bi 2 S 3 anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is prepared through hydrothermal reaction and is used as cathode material for aqueous ZIBs. Raman and XPS characterizations confirmed that the oxygen bridge in Bi–O–C heterostructures is successfully created during the hydrothermal synthesis. These oxygen bridges are energy favourable in the Bi 2 S 3 /rGO composite materials and serve as the electron transfer channels for rapid charge compensation during Zn2+ incorporation/extraction. Rotating ring–disc electrode (RRDE) measurements demonstrate improved electrochemical stability of the Bi 2 S 3 /rGO composite material compared to pristine Bi 2 S 3. As a result of these improved characteristics, Bi 2 S 3 /rGO composite shows notably better rate performance and cycling stability than unsupported Bi 2 S 3. Ex-situ X-ray diffraction and XPS characterizations indicate that Zn2+ undergoes a reversible conversion reaction with Bi 2 S 3 to form ZnS/Bi0, rather than being intercalated into Bi 2 S 3 crystal interlayers. The rGO substrate forms chemical bonds with bismuth in the composite material, and the strongly anchored bismuth on the rGO through a Bi–O–C bridge enables a highly reversible conversion reaction. As a result, the Bi 2 S 3 /rGO composite with 8 wt% rGO can deliver a reversible capacity of ∼186 mAh g−1 at the current density of 500 mA g−1 after 150 cycles, showing high promise as Zn-ion battery material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harmless disposal of lead paste in the spent lead-acid batteries (LABs) remains an enormous challenge in traditional pyrometallurgical recycling. Here, we introduced a hydrometallurgical method for the recycling of the spent LABs' waste to obtain the β -PbO as a novel zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) active material. The obtained β -PbO exhibits ultra-flat charge/discharge voltage platforms (0.21 mV/(mAh g−1)) and stable specific capacity. During the charge/discharge, the β -PbO spontaneously triggers the formation of (ZnSO 4)[Zn(OH) 2 ] 3 ·5H 2 O (ZHS) micro-sheets as a surface passivation layer. Moreover, the ex-situ X-ray spectra reveal that the reversible phase transformation occurs between PbSO 4 and Pb with the assistance of ZHS by adjusting the PH value on the electrode-electrolyte interface. The synergistic two-phase-reaction mechanism generates ultra-flat voltage platforms upon the charge/discharge. This "energy-saving and environment-friendly" recycling route eliminates the major source of emission of pollution particulates/gases compared to the traditional pyrometallurgical recycling, while at the same time replacing energy-consuming and environmentally detrimental processes of synthesis of current ZIBs cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]