Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of V2O5 nanorods assemblies with an improved Li-ion batteries performance

Abstract Vanadium pentoxide nanorods assemblies were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, combined with subsequently annealing treatment. The structure and morphology of the nanorods were characterized by XRD, FESEM and HRTEM, and the electrochemical properties of the electrodes made from the V 2 O 5 nanorods were investigated. The V 2 O 5 nanorods with an average diameter of 100 nm and lengths up to several micrometers are almost parallel distributed in the assemblies. The V 2 O 5 nanorods assemblies exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 330 mAh g −1 at a current density of 50 mA g −1 , which is very higher than that of the separated V 2 O 5 nanorods. The V 2 O 5 nanorods assemblies also show a lower capacity fading rate in comparison with the separated V 2 O 5 nanorods. A low polarization of the charge transfer reaction and a high diffusion rate of lithium ion inside the electrode composed of the paralleled nanorods are considered responsible for the enhanced capacity.