Synthesis of a porous sheet-like V2O5–CNT nanocomposite using an ice-templating ‘bricks-and-mortar’ assembly approach as a high-capacity, long cyclelife cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Tailoring the nanostructures of electrode materials is an effective way to enhance their electrochemical performance for energy storage. Herein, an ice-templating “bricks-and-mortar” assembly approach is reported to make ribbon-like V₂O₅ nanoparticles and CNTs integrated into a two-dimensional (2D) porous sheet-like V₂O₅–CNT nanocomposite. The obtained sheet-like V₂O₅–CNT nanocomposite possesses unique structural characteristics, including a hierarchical porous structure, 2D morphology, large specific surface area and internal conducting networks, which lead to superior electrochemical performances in terms of long-term cyclability and significantly enhanced rate capability when used as a cathode material for LIBs. The sheet-like V₂O₅–CNT nanocomposite can charge/discharge at high rates of 5C, 10C and 20C, with discharge capacities of approximately 240 mA h g⁻¹, 180 mA h g⁻¹, and 160 mA h g⁻¹, respectively. It also retains 71% of the initial discharge capacity after 300 cycles at a high rate of 5C, with only 0.097% capacity loss per cycle. The rate capability and cycling performance of the sheet-like V₂O₅–CNT nanocomposite are significantly better than those of commercial V₂O₅ and most of the reported V₂O₅ nanocomposite.