2D Mesoporous Nanomesh from N-Doped Carbon-Encapsulated V<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Nanowires as an Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Chang Sheng Liu, Ye Xi, Boyu Zhou, Xin Zeng, Jun Xu, Qing Xu, Jian‐Feng Li
Abstract
Vanadium (III) oxide nanomaterials have been investigated and considered as potential anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) mesoporous nanomeshes from carbon-encapsulated V2O3, though is technically challenging, can further enhance its electrochemical performances due to the shortening of the Li+-ion diffusion distance, the highly conductive pathway for electrons, and the tremendous increase of surface areas. In this paper, an ice-templated assembly approach is utilized to fabricate a 2D mesoporous nanomesh from N-doped carbon-encapsulated V2O3 (V2O3@N-C Nm). The V2O3@N-C Nm anode exhibits a highly reversible capacity of ∼651 mA h g–1 at a current density of 200 mA g–1 over 100 cycles, which is 2.5 times and 1.3 times higher than those of V2O3 Nm and V2O3@N-C nanocomposite (V2O3@N-C Nc), respectively. The superior electrochemical performances of V2O3@N-C Nm are mainly due to its unique nanomesh nanostructure, which facilitates the lithiation/delithiation process, alleviates structural collapse, enhances electrical conductivity, and provides efficient diffusion channels.