One step synthesis of monoclinic VO2 (B) bundles of nanorods: Cathode for Li ion battery

One of the metastable phases of vanadium dioxide, VO2(B) bundles of nanorods and microspheres have been synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method by dispersing V2O5 in aqueous quinol. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical discharge–charge test for lithium battery. It was found that the morphologies of the obtained VO2(B) can be tuned by manipulating the relative amount of quinol. The electrochemical test found that the bundles of nanorods exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 171 mAh g− 1 and its almost stabilized capacity was reached to 108 mAh g− 1 after 47 cycles at a current density of 0.1 mA g− 1. The formation mechanism of the VO2(B) bundles of nanorods and microspheres was also discussed.

► VO2(B) bundles of nanorods and microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal route at 180 °C for 1 day.
► In this method for the synthesis of VO2(B), we are the first to use quinol as a reducing agent.
► Morphologies of the obtained VO2(B) can be tuned by manipulating the relative amount of quinol.
► VO2(B) exhibits an initial capacity of 171 mAh g− 1 and reached to 108 mAh g− 1 after 47 cycles.
► The formation mechanism of the VO2(B) bundles of nanorods and microspheres is also discussed.