Electrochemical insertion/deinsertion of sodium on NaV6O15 nanorods as cathode material of rechargeable sodium-based batteries

A well defined nano-structured material, NaV6O15 nanorods, was synthesized by a facile low temperature hydrothermal method. It can perform well as the cathode material of rechargeable sodium batteries. It was found that the NaV6O15 nanorods exhibited stable sodium-ion insertion/deinsertion reversibility and delivered 142 mAh g−1 sodium ions when worked at a current density of 0.02 A g−1. In galvanostatic cycling test, a specific discharge capacity of around 75 mAh g−1 could be obtained after 30 cycles under 0.05 A g−1 current density. Concerned to its good electrochemical performance for reversible delivery of sodium ions, it is thus expected that NaV6O15 may be used as cathode material for rechargeable sodium batteries with highly environmental friendship and low cost.