Template-assisted formation of rattle-type V₂O₅ hollow microspheres with enhanced lithium storage properties

In this work, rattle-type ball-in-ball V₂O₅ hollow microspheres are controllably synthesized with the assistance of carbon colloidal spheres as hard templates. Carbon spheres@vanadium-precursor (CS@V) core-shell composite microspheres are first prepared through a one-step solvothermal method. The composition of solvent for the solvothermal synthesis has great influence on the morphology and structure of the vanadium-precursor shells. V₂O₅ hollow microspheres with various shell architectures can be obtained after removing the carbon microspheres by calcination in air. Moreover, the interior hollow shell can be tailored by varying the temperature ramping rate and calcination temperature. The rattle-type V₂O₅ hollow microspheres are evaluated as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, which manifest high specific discharge capacity, good cycling stability and rate capability. Rattle-type V₂O₅ ball-in-ball hollow microspheres are controllably synthesized using carbon spheres as hard templates. Carbon spheres@vanadium- precursor (CS@V) core-shell composite microspheres with controllable morphology and structure are first prepared through a one-step solvothermal method. Rattle-type V₂O₅ hollow microspheres with various structures can be obtained after removing the carbon microspheres by calcination in air. When evaluated as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, the rattle-type V₂O₅ hollow microspheres manifest high specific capacity, good cycling stability and rate capability.