AlPO4-coated V2 O5 nanoplatelet and its electrochemical properties in aqueous electrolyte

Abstract Vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) nanoplatelet was prepared through an exfoliation method by using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as intercalating template. To improve its electrochemical performance in the aqueous electrolyte, the nanoplatelet was coated with amorphous AlPO 4 by sol-gel method. The effect of this coating layer on the rate and cycling properties is investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge. The 1.6 % AlPO 4 -coated sample could deliver an initial capacity of 128 mAh g –1 at 0.1 C rate, and remain 99 % of the initial one after 50 cycles. The discharge capacities in the first cycle are 119, 113, and 104 mAh g –1 at the rates of 0.3, 1.5, and 3 C, respectively. The corresponding maintaining ratios are 98, 92, and 87 % after 50 cycles. The results suggest the AlPO 4 -coated V 2 O 5 nanoplatelet has good rate capability and cycling performance, indicating its promising application as an anode material in aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries.