Preparation of graphene/vanadium oxide nanocomposite monolith and its electrochemical performance

Abstract Graphene/vanadium oxide nanocomposite (G/V2O5) monolith is prepared via a simple hydrothermal process. Owing to the intimate contact between the V2O5 nanobelts and graphene nanosheets in the monolith, the nanocomposite shows excellent electric conductivity, and therefore makes the electrode–electrolyte contact better and Li+ diffusion faster. A high specific capacitance of 163 F g−1 has been achieved for G/V2O5 electrode in 0.5 mol L−1 K2SO4 solution. The G/V2O5 nanocomposite exhibits excellent cyclic performance with nearly 80% capacity retention at a current density of 5 A g−1 in a testing range of 1000 cycles. Moreover, G/V2O5 nanocomposite exhibits excellent discharge properties and cycle stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The initial capacity is 1100 mAh g−1 and the reversible capacity of 530 mAh g−1 is maintained after 100 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g−1.