V₂O₅ layered nanofiber as an advanced cathode material in lithium ion batteries

Among the cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), vanadium oxides have received extensive attention from researchers due to their abundant reserves and high theoretical specific capacity. Nevertheless, its low electronic conductivity and poor structural stability lead to its poor electrochemical performance. Herein, the V₂O₅ layered nanofibers prepared by electrostatic spinning technique combined with annealing processes. When the calcination temperature was set to 450 °C, the obtained V₂O₅ layered nanofiber material (AM450-V₂O₅) had a uniformly dispersed morphology, which conferred more lithium ion insertion sites and thus accelerated lithium ion insertion/(de)insertion. Based on this, the AM450-V₂O₅ electrode exhibits a high initial discharge specific capacity (250.7 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g) and excellent cycling stability (82% cycle retention at 1 A/g after 150 cycles). These results indicate that the V₂O₅ layered nanofibers are highly promising as long-life, high-rate cathode materials for next-generation LIBs.