Rational synthesis of copper vanadates/polypyrrole nanowires with enhanced electrochemical property

The copper vanadates/polypyrrole (CVO/PPy) core/shell composite nanowires have been synthesized via in situ polymerization of pyrrole monomers on the surface of hydrothermally synthesized Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O (CVO) nanowires. The Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O core and PPy layer can be clearly observed in single nanowire. The electrochemical properties of the CVO/PPy core/shell composite nanowires were systematically investigated and compared with bare Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O nanowires. It was found that the electrochemical performance of the CVO/PPy nanowires was significantly enhanced. The results suggest that the conductive PPy nanolayer coating helps to preserve high capacity, maintain high electrochemical stability, and reduce charge transfer resistance during cycling performance. This method is shown to be an effective and facile technique for improving the electrochemical performance of transition metal vanadate electrodes for applications in lithium-ion batteries.

► Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O/polypyrrole core/shell composite nanowires have been prepared.
► The composite nanowires were prepared by an in situ oxidative polymerization method.
► The composite nanowires show enhanced electrochemical performances.