Crumpled reduced graphene oxide conformally encapsulated hollow V2O5 nano/microsphere achieving brilliant lithium storage performance. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Bo; Li, Xifei; Bai, Zhimin; Zhao, Yang; Dong, Lei; Song, Xiaosheng; Li, Dejun; Langford, Craig; Sun, Xueliang
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 24(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Crumpled reduced graphene oxide -- Encapsulated materials -- Vanadium pentoxide -- Lithium ion batteries; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2016.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: It has remained a challenge to develop a facile and scalable approach to synthesize high-energy lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrode materials with excellent rate capabilities and prominent cycling stabilities for their applications in new generation energy storage devices. In this study, for the first time, we report a crumpled reduced graphene oxide (cG) encapsulated three-dimensional (3D) hollow vanadium pentoxide (V2 O5 ) nano/microspheres fabricated by one-step solvothermal treatment followed by subsequent annealing. This rapid and effective synthesis method is environmental friendly and economically beneficial without involving costly organic vanadium sources, tedious operation, or sophisticated equipment. Remarkably, the desired cG-encapsulated V2 O5 composite contains 5 wt% reduced graphene oxide (rGO), yet exhibits outstanding rate capacities and cycling stabilities. This product can deliver reversible capacities of 289 mA h g −1 at 100 mA g −1 and 163 mA h g −1 at 5000 mA g −1 (492 W h kg −1 and 9840 W kg −1 ), as well as a capacity retention of about 94% after 200 cycles at 2000 mA g −1 in the potential range between 2.0 V and 4.0 V ( vs. Li/Li + ). Furthermore, the unique structural feature and typical formation mechanism of the designed materials are clarified based on multiple experimental results. More commendably, a chain of solid powders had been successfully encapsulated using this scalable reaction system. It is expected that this versatile approach will facilitate the applications of cG, and provide a novel avenue to create more fascinating rGO-based functional materials. Graphical abstract: The crumpled reduced graphene oxide encapsulated hollow V2 O5 nano/microspheres were fabricated by one-step solvothermal treatment followed by subsequent annealing for the first time. The unique structural feature and typical formation mechanism of the designed materials were clarified based on multiple experimental results. The resulting electrode presented brilliant rate capacity, excellent cycling stability, and outstanding energy density. Most importantly, we have demonstrated that the proposed reaction system can be extended to encapsulate other materials. Highlights: Crumpled reduced graphene oxide encapsulated V2 O5 have been successfully fabricated. The formation mechanism of the desired materials was systematically studied. The resultant electrode delivers brilliant cycling stability, rate capacity, and energy density. The proposed reaction system can be extended to encapsulate other materials.