Electrochemical and structural investigation of transition metal doped V2O5 sono-aerogel cathodes for lithium metal batteries

Bilayered V2O5·nH2O is regarded as a universal host for metal ions and thus applicable to metal batteries. The achievable capacity is strongly related with material morphology and structure. Herein we report a modified aerogel synthesis involving a sonication step yielding to a faster gel formation. Doped sono-aerogel are prepared adding Ni and Mn (from 1 to 10 mol%) during the hydrolysis of the precursor. XAS analysis reveals that the dopants are both divalent and reside in the space between the V2O5 bilayers. The doped sono-aerogels display different morphology and improved electrochemical performance respect to the un-doped counterpart.