Tantalum pentoxide-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as a new conversion type anode material having extrinsic pseudocapacitance for electrochemical lithium storage

Abstract Ta2O5 nanoparticles could be an exemplary conversion type anode material for electrochemical lithium ion storage which possesses promising extrinsic pseudocapacitance property. Ionic liquid assisted hydrothermal method have been employed to synthesize Ta2O5 nanoparticles followed by hydrothermal method to synthesize Ta2O5–reduced graphene oxide (Ta2O5-rGO) nanocomposite. The Ta2O5–rGO nanocomposite delivered enhanced specific capacity of 175 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.1C current rate compared to the pure Ta2O5 nanoparticles. The outstanding electrochemical performance of Ta2O5–rGO nanocomposite could be offered by two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide possessing high surface area, better mechanical stability and high electrical conductivity enhances the electron and ion transfer rate and also avoiding agglomeration of Ta2O5 NPs. Finally, the present investigation urges contemporary researchers to design advance Ta2O5-rGO nanocomposites for lithium ion battery applications.