Enhanced electrochemical performance of electrospun V2O5 nanotubes as cathodes for lithium ion batteries

Hollow porous vanadium pentoxide nanotubes (VNTs) have been fabricated by using electrospinning and successive sintering process. By controlling the calcination time, we synthesized the cathode made of the vanadium pentoxide with good electrochemical performance and nanotubes morphology after sintering at 400 degrees C for 2 h in air. The optimized VNTs electrode displays improved electrochemical performance with good specific discharge capacities, cycling durability (capacity retaining 72.5% at 100 cycles), and the improved high-rate performance (186 mA h g(-1) at 1000 mA g(-1)). This can be attributed to the reasons following: The special nanostructure with pores and hollow morphology could shorten the lithium ion (Li+) diffusing distance, increase the electrochemical activity, provide higher specific surface areas to enlarge the contact area between electrolyte and electrode, and endure the volume changes during Li-ions insertion and extraction process. This electrode can potentially provide as good cathode materials for improved electrochemical performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.