Ultralong H2V3O8 nanowire bundles as a promising cathode for lithium batteries

Ultralong H2V3O8 nanowire bundles with length up to hundreds of micrometers were successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach. The nanowire bundles exhibit a high specific discharge capacity of 325.7 mA h g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1). While the current density is up to 2000 mA g(-1), the initial specific discharge capacities of a H2V3O8 nanowires cathode can reach 121.1 mA h g(-1) with a capacity fading of only 0.0425% per cycle for 300 cycles. Electrical transport of a single nanowire is also recorded in situ to detect the evolution of the nanowire during annealing. The conductivity of H2V3O8 nanowire has an increase of three orders of magnitude compared to that of the dehydrated nanowire. The excellent electrochemical performance of H2V3O8 nanowire bundles results from high conductivity and good structural stability. This work demonstrates that H2V3O8 nanowire bundles are a promising cathode material for lithium batteries.