A high performance all-vanadate-based Li-ion full cell

Li3VO4 is regarded as a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries due to its advantages of safety and low volumetric variation. However, unscalable synthesis makes the practical application of Li3VO4 challenging. Herein, state-of-the-art Li3VO4/N doped C porous microspheres comprising Li3VO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in interconnected N doped C networks (LVO/NC PMSs) are designed and synthesized via a scalable spray drying approach. Ultra-high capacity, ultra-long cycle life and prominent rate capability are achieved in the LVO/NC PMS electrode. When cycling at 0.1 A g(-1), it delivers a reversible capacity of 610 mA h g(-1) after 200 cycles. At a high constant charge current of 2.0 A g(-1), it delivers stable cycling over 5000 cycles at a high discharge current of 4.0 A g(-1), and the reversible capacity is completely restored after 150 cycles of rate performance testing with discharge current from 0.2 to 4.0 A g(-1). Moreover, Li3V2(PO4)(3) microspheres (LVP MSs) are also prepared using the scalable spray drying approach, and a new all-vanadate-based LVO//LVP full cell is designed for the first time. The full cell delivers a high energy density of 300 W h kg(-1) which is higher than that of most of the Li4Ti5O12 and LVO-based full cells, and a long lifespan (340.7 mA h g(-1) after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g(-1)) which meets the requirements of commercialization. The scalable synthesis of LVO/NC PMSs and LVP MSs with excellent performance and the configuration of the LVO//LVP full cell with high energy density and long cycle life may pave the way for LVO for practical applications.

Automated summary

The scalable spray drying approach is used to design and synthesize state-of-the-art Li3VO4/N doped C porous microspheres, which exhibit ultra-high capacity, ultra-long cycle life, and remarkable rate capability. The electrode can deliver stable cycling over 5000 cycles at a high discharge current, and the reversible capacity is completely restored after 150 cycles of rate performance testing at different discharge currents.