Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of crystalline Zn2V2O7 nanorods

Zn2V2O7 nanorods were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal route for the application in the Lithium ion batteries. The effects of the reacting time on the Zn2V2O7 nanorods as well as the corresponding electrochemical properties were investigated. Results show that the obtained sample under the optimum condition possesses high crystallinity; the width and the thickness are in the range of 40-60 nm and 20-40 nm, respectively. Based on the observations, a possible growth mechanism of Zn2V2O7 nanorods could be described as a reacting-exfoliating-splitting process. Besides, the Zn2V2O7 nanorods used as anode materials in rechargeable lithium-ion battery can exhibit a highly reversible discharge/charge capacity and excellent rate property at a current density as high as 0.1 A g−1. This might be attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the layered structure of Zn2V2O7 nanorods.