Preparation of Layered (NH<inf>4</inf>)<inf>2</inf>V<inf>6</inf>O<inf>16</inf>•H<inf>2</inf>O Nanosheets as an Anode for Li-ion Batteries

Abstract

Vanadium pentoxide(V2O5) nanomaterials have been extensively investigated as promising electrode materials for rechargeable batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity. Herein, we report the preparation of layered (NH4)2V6O16•H2O nanosheets by intercalation of commercial V2O5 nanoparticles with ammonium ions and water molecules in aqueous solution at room temperature. The as-prepared (NH4)2V6O16•H2O nanosheets have a size of 2-10 μm and thickness of 50-250 nm. Importantly, when used as an anode mate-rial for Li-ion batteries(LIBs), the (NH4)2V6O16•H2O nanosheets exhibit much enhanced performances in comparison with commercial V2O5 nanoparticles, including large reversible discharge capacity(1148 mA•h/g at 0.1 A/g), excellent cycling performance(a high capacity of 1002 mA•h/g at 0.1 A/g after 70 cycles) and high rate capability(reversible capabilities of 1070 mA•h/g at 0.1 A/g). The results demonstrate that the (NH4)2V6O16•H2O nanosheets can be used as an excellent anode material for LIBs, which may be also promising for other rechargeable batteries, such as Na-ion batteries and Zn-ion batteries.