A high-performance C@Na5V12O32 nanowire electrode derived from the reconstruction of carbon quantum dots

Abstract

Vanadate electrodes are potential candidates for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their large theoretical specific capacity. However, their easy dissolution in the electrolyte, large structural changes, low conductivity and capacity decay during cycling hinder their further application. Herein, a lithium-ion battery electrode of Na₅V₁₂O₃₂ (NVO) nanowires covered with a carbon film and formed by the reconstruction of carbon quantum dots (CDs) was obtained using an in situ capping strategy. Remarkably, the carbon film could prevent direct contact between the NVO nanowires and the electrolyte, thus slowing down the occurrence of side reactions and avoiding the dissolution of the NVO nanowires. Among the electrodes treated at different temperatures, the C@NVO-400 electrode exhibits high capacity and excellent cycling stability as the electrode of LIBs, with a discharge specific capacity of 779.1 and 315.5 mAh g⁻¹ after 400 and 1000 cycles at a current density of 0.1 and 2 A g⁻¹, respectively. An in situ coating strategy is proposed here to contribute to the further development of coated vanadate electrodes for high-performance LIBs.