Mica-like vanadium pentoxide-nanostructured thin film as high-performance cathode for lithium-ion batteries

•Mica-like V2O5 nanostructured thin-film is fabricated directly by anodic electrodeposition.•Mica-like V2O5 thin-films are formed by nanosheets with thickness less than 50 nm.•The initial discharge capacity of V2O5 thin-film was 596 mAh g−1 at 1080 mA g−1.•The fading rate of V2O5 thin-film was 1% per cycle at 1080 mA g−1.

Stable and homogeneous mica-like vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)-nanostructured thin films are prepared directly by simple anodic deposition from V2O5/H2O2 sol solution, and then dried at ambient temperature and annealed at 500 °C in air for 1 h. The films' crystal- and microstructures, surface morphology and Li-ion intercalation properties were characterized and analyzed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and electrochemical techniques. When used as a lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode, the films exhibit a large discharge capacity of 596 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1080 mA g−1, as well as excellent cyclic stability and a fading rate of 1% per cycle. Explanations for such significant enhancements in specific capacity, cyclic stability, and rate performance of mica-like V2O5-nanostructured thin films are demonstrated in this study.

Graphical abstractThe mica-like V2O5 nanostructured thin films exhibit significant enhancement of lithium-ion intercalation capacity, excellent cyclic stability and rate performance due to its unique morphology, the nanostructure, and introduced oxygen vacancies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide