Synthesis of H2V3O8/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite as a Promising Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

H2V3O8 nanowires wrapped by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are synthesized successfully through a simple hydrothermal process. The structural properties of the samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The RGO nanosheets modify the surfaces of the H2V3O8 nanowires through VC linkages. The H2V3O8/RGO composite exhibits a remarkably enhanced electrochemical performance in terms of its reversible capacity, cyclic performance, and rate capability. The material shows high discharge capacities of 256 and 117 mA h g−1 at the current densities of 0.1 and 1 A g−1, respectively, with almost no capacity fading after fifty charge/discharge cycles. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy show that the superior electrochemical performance of H2V3O8/RGO can be attributed to the cooperation of RGO, which provides better mechanical flexibility, higher electronic conductivity, and smaller charge-transfer resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]