V2O5 nanoflowers assembled by nanorods as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

Three-dimensional V₂O₅ nanoflowers (V₂O₅-NFs) have been synthesised by a simple two-step process, with a water bath method and thermal treatment. Each NF with the size of 2-3 μm is assembled by about 2000 nanorods and the diameter of each nanorod is around 80 nm. As cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the V₂O₅-NFs exhibit high reversible capacities of 293 and 272 mAh g^-1 at current densities of 30 and 100 mA g^-1. Even at 600 mA g^-1, they display a reversible capacity of 105 mAh g^-1 with a capacity loss of 0.39% per cycle. The enhanced electrochemical properties are attributed to the self-assemble nanostructure that allows for the reversible transport of Li⁺ without the disintegration of the structure.