WNb60O153: A novel energy storage material with high rate capability

Abstract In this study, microsized WNb 60 O 153 bulks and nanostructured WNb 60 O 153 nanowires have been successfully prepared through solid-state reaction and electrospinning technique. Contributed to nanostructured architecture, WNb 60 O 153 nanowires have better performance than microsized WNb 60 O 153 bulks, which is verified by the comparison of galvanostatic charge/discharge experiment, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and high-rate analysis. Revealed by electrochemical measurements, WNb 60 O 153 nanowires deliver a higher specific capacity of 174 mAh g −1 at 100 mA g −1 than that of microsized WNb 60 O 153 bulks (153 mAh g −1 ). Furthermore, it can reach a capacity of 134 mAh g −1 at a higher rate of 1000 mA g −1 . It is worth mentioning that the longer cycle life, superior rate performance and higher reversible capacity is contributed to the great lithium-ion diffusion coefficient of WNb 60 O 153 nanowires, which are also higher than other Nb-based compounds and conventional Ti-based anode materials. In addition, in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique is carried out to further elucidate the structural stability and reversibility for the WNb 60 O 153 nanowires. All the evidences prove that electrospun WNb 60 O 153 nanowires can be employed as an alternative electrode material for the lithium-ions batteries (LIBs).