Birnessite-type　MnO2　(δ-MnO2)　exhibits　great　potential　as　a　cathode　material　for　aqueous　zinc-ion　batteries　(AZIBs).　However,　the　structural　instability　and　sluggish　reaction　kinetics　restrict　its　further　application.　Herein,　a　unique　protons　intercalation　strategy　was　utilized　to　simultaneously　modify　the　interlayer　environment　and　transition　metal　layers　of　δ-MnO2.　The　intercalated　protons　directly　form　strong　O　[sbnd]　H　bonds　with　the　adjacent　oxygens,　while　the　increased　H2O　molecules　also　establish　a　hydrogen　bond　network　(O　[sbnd]　H···O)　between　H2O　molecules　or　bond　with　adjacent　oxygens.　Based　on　the　Grotthuss　mechanism,　these　bondings　ultimately　enhance　the　stability　of　layered　structures　and　facilitate　the　rapid　diffusion　of　protons.　Moreover,　the　introduction　of　protons　induces　numerous　oxygen　vacancies,　reduces　steric　hindrance,　and　accelerates　ion　transport　kinetics.　Consequently,　the　protons　intercalated　δ-MnO2　(H-MnO2-x)　demonstrates　exceptional　specific　capacity　of　401.7　mAh/g　at　0.1　A/g　and　a　fast-charging　performance　over　1000　cycles.　Density　functional　theory　analysis　confirms　the　improved　electronic　conductivity　and　reduced　diffusion　energy　barrier.　Most　importantly,　electrochemical　quartz　crystal　microbalance　tests　combining　with　ex-situ　characterizations　verify　the　inhibitory　effect　of　the　interlayer　proton　environment　on　basic　zinc　sulfate　formation.　Protons　intercalation　behavior　provides　a　promising　avenue　for　the　development　of　MnO2　as　well　as　other　cathodes　in　AZIBs.　©　2024　Elsevier　Inc.