Synthesis of a novel hexagonal porous TT-Nb₂O₅ via solid state reaction for high-performance lithium ion battery anodes

Abstract

Hexagonal porous Nb₂O₅ was synthesized for the first time via a facile solid-state reaction. The structure and electrochemical properties have been optimized through tuning heating temperature. X-ray diffraction results indicate that pseudo hexagonal Nb₂O₅ (TT-Nb₂O₅) and orthorhombic Nb₂O₅ have been synthesized at different temperatures. Hexagonal sheet and porous structure of Nb₂O₅ were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and N₂-adsorption-desorption isotherms. The as-prepared TT-Nb₂O₅ (heated at 600 °C) shows the best performance with a remarkable charge capacity of 178 mA·h/g at 0.2C, which is higher than that of T-Nb₂O₅. Even at 20C, TT-Nb₂O₅ offers unprecedented rate capability up to 86 mA·h/g. The high rate capacity is due to pseudocapacitive Li⁺ intercalation mechanism of TT-Nb₂O₅. The reported results demonstrate that Nb₂O₅ with good crystal structure and high specific surface area is a powerful composite design for high-rate and safe anode materials.

Keywords

lithium-ion battery / Nb₂O₅ / hexagonal porous sheet / electrochemical performance

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