Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2014, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 1113-1120.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201404182

• ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND NEW ENERGY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Hydrothermal Sol-Gel Method for the Synthesis of a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube-Na3V2(PO4)3 Composite as a Novel Electrode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

WANG Wen-Jun, ZHAO Hong-Bin, YUAN An-Bao, FANG Jian-Hui, XU Jia-Qiang   

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
  • Received:2014-03-06 Revised:2014-04-17 Published:2014-05-26
  • Contact: XU Jia-Qiang E-mail:Xujiaqiang@shu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61071040), Leading Academic Discipline Project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, China (J50102), and Research and Innovation Project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, China.

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Abstract:

We report the synthesis of a novel multiwalled carbon nanotube-Na3V2(PO4)3 (MWCNT-NVP) composite with excellent electrochemical performance. The composite material was prepared by a hydrothermal process combined with a sol-gel method. The MWCNT-NVP composite consists of Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) and a small amount of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (8.74%(w)). The MWCNTs were successfully dispersed between the NVP nanoparticles, which was confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and served as a kind of "electronic wire". Electrochemical measurements show that the MWCNTNVP composite has enhanced capacity and cycling performance compared with pristine Na3V2(PO4)3. At a current rate of 0.2C (35.2 mA·g-1), the initial reversible discharge capacity of the MWCNT-NVP was 82.2 mAh·g-1, and 72.3 mAh·g-1 was maintained after 100 cycles when cycled between 3.0 and 4.5 V. Good cycling performance was also observed when cycling between 1.0 and 3.0 V. The initial reversible capacity was 100.6 mAh·g-1 and the capacity retention was 90% after 100 cycles. Additionally, electrochemical AC impedance showed that the electronic conductivity of MWCNT-NVP was significantly improved in the presence of the MWCNTs. These results indicate that the MWCNT-NVP composite has outstanding properties, and is thus a promising alternative for lithium-ion batteries with relatively low lithium consumption.

Key words: Sodium vanadium phosphate, Carbon nanotube, Hydrothermal sol-gel method, Na superionic conductor structure, Lithium-ion battery