Phase Separation Derived Core/Shell Structured Cu11V6O26/V2O5 Microspheres: First Synthesis and Excellent Lithium‐Ion Anode Performance with Outstanding Capacity Self‐Restoration

Novel amorphous vanadium oxide coated copper vanadium oxide (Cu11V6O26/V2O5) microspheres with 3D hierarchical architecture have been successfully prepared via a microwave-assisted solution method and subsequent annealing induced phase separation process. Pure Cu11V6O26 microspheres without V2O5 coating are also obtained by an H2O2 solution dissolving treatment. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the as-synthesized hybrid exhibits large reversible capacity, excellent rate capability, and outstanding capacity self-recovery. Under the condition of high current density of 1 A g−1, the 3D hierarchical Cu11V6O26/V2O5 hybrid maintains a reversible capacity of ≈1110 mA h g−1. Combined electrochemical analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation during cycling reveals that the amorphous V2O5 coating plays an important role on enhancing the electrochemical performances and capacity self-recovery, which provides an active amorphous protective layer and abundant grain interfaces for efficient inserting and extracting of Li-ion. As a result, this new copper vanadium oxide hybrid is proposed as a promising anode material for LIBs.