Effect of mesoporosity of vanadium oxide prepared by sol-gel process as cathodic material evaluated by cyclability during Li+ insertion/deinsertion

The effect of pore structure on the behavior of lithium intercalation into an electrode containing porous V2O5 film has been investigated and compared with the electrode containing a non-porous V2O5 film. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a lamellar structure for both materials. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms, t-plot method, and Scanning Electronic Microscopy show that the route employed for the preparation of mesoporous V2O5 was successful. The electrochemical performance of these matrices as lithium intercalation cathode materials was evaluated. The porous material reaches stability after several cycles more easily compared with the V2O5 xerogel. Lithium intercalation into the porous V2O5 film electrode is crucially influenced by pore surface and film surface irregularity, in contrast with the non-porous surface of the V2O5 xerogel.