V2O5/single-walled carbon nanotube hybrid mesoporous films as cathodes with high-rate capacities for rechargeable lithium ion batteries

► A facile method to prepare V2O5/SWNT hybrid films as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. ► A high-rate capacity of 548 mAhg−1 at the discharge rate of 300 mAg−1 (∼1 C) was achieved. ► Specific capacity of 171 mAhg−1 at higher discharge rate of 2400 mAg−1 (∼8 C) was also achieved. ► 2-4 orders of magnitude improvement of Li+ diffusivity was achieved via V2O5-SWNT interactions.