2D ultrathin nanosheet-assembled Nb2O5 microflowers for lithium ion batteries

Hierarchical Nb2O5 microflowers architectures assembled with 2D ultrathin nanosheets were successfully constructed via a facile hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized microflowers with a diameter of ca. 1.4 μm are assembled by ultrathin nanosheets with the thickness of 3-4 nm. The initial discharge capacities of Nb2O5 microflowers are 247 mA h g−1 at a current density of 20 mA g−1, meanwhile the retention capacities are 190.1 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles. Hence, the Nb2O5 microflowers can be developed as a promising negative material for high-rate lithium ion storage applications.