Facile and elegant self-organization of Ag nanoparticles and TiO2 nanorods on V2O5 nanosheets as a superior cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

To address the deficiencies of poor electronic conductivity and strong tendency towards aggregation suffered by V₂O₅ nanosheets, here we propose a facile and elegant self-organization strategy to decorate them simultaneously with Ag nanoparticles and TiO₂ nanorods, resulting in novel two-dimensional hybrid architectures. The addition of TiO₂ is able to enhance the Li⁺ intercalation rate and capacity of V₂O₅, while the introduction of Ag is capable of allowing for efficient electron transport from the current collector to the electrode. Moreover, the two dopants can effectively isolate the V₂O₅ nanosheets from restacking, thereby preserving the electroactive surface areas from being sacrificed. The resulting two-dimensional hybrid architectures exhibit synergistic superiorities in reversible capacity, rate capability and cycle stability over neat V₂O₅ nanosheets, and hold great promise as a cathode material of lithium-ion batteries.