Flame spray-pyrolyzed vanadium oxidenanoparticles for lithium battery cathodes

Abstract

Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanoparticles (30–60 nm) were made by a one-step and scalable flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) process. Optimization of the FSP processing conditions (precursor concentration and injection rate) enhanced the electrochemical performance of these nanoparticles. Increasing the cut-off potential for discharging from 1.5 to 2.5 V vs. Li/Li⁺ improved the cycle life of these V₂O₅ nanoparticles. Particles with the lowest specific surface area (∼32 m² g⁻¹) and highest phase purity (up to 98 wt%) showed excellent cyclability between 2.5 and 4.0 V vs. Li/Li⁺, retaining a specific charge of 110 mAh g⁻¹ beyond 100 cycles at a specific current of 100 mA g⁻¹, and also superior specific charge of 100 mAh g⁻¹ at specific current up to 20C rate (or 2000 mA g⁻¹).