Controlled synthesis of Li3VO4/C nanofibers as anode for Li-ion batteries

Li3VO4/C nanofibers (LVO/C NFs) with tunable morphology and microstructure are prepared via an aqueous-based electrospinning approach. LVO/C NFs with smooth surface and high defects in C (LVO/C NFs-1) are obtained by pre-annealing in air, while pre-annealing in N2 leads to the formation of LVO/C NFs with numerous nanoparticles embedded in fiber matrix (LVO/C NFs-2). The LVO/C NFs-1 delivers discharge capacity 478.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and 307.7 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. After 3 periodic rate performance testing from 0.2 to 4.0 A g−1 over 250 cycles, the LVO/C NFs-1 retains high discharge capacity of 444.9 mAh g−1 when reverting the current to 0.2 A g−1. The performance of the LVO/C NFs-1 is distinctly improved compared with that of the LVO/C NFs-2, owing to improved reaction kinetics and continuously high capacitive charge storage. The specific aqueous-based approach for the preparation of LVO/C NFs and the morphology and microstructure-related electrochemical performance may be referential for the design of high-performance Li3VO4-based electrode.