Investigating the influence of synthesis route on the crystallinity and rate capability of niobium pentoxide for energy storage

Orthorhombic niobium pentoxide (T-Nb2O5) is known to be an effective anode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with very high rate capability, but the other Nb2O5 polymorphs and non-crystalline phases have lacked thorough exploration. A simple hydrothermal mechanism used produce anisotropically crystalline ‘as-synthesised material’, which has not previously been characterised electrochemically. The as-synthesised heat-treated T-Nb2O5 at 600°C monoclinic (H-) 1000°C. We present electrochemical properties all of these materials. Collectively we report sweeps demonstrate current stability (20 C-rate capability) a long life span, up 200 cycles. propose H-phase as when prepared via precursor, it able 60 % capacity retention after cycles notably flux 20 C. Such rates results are rare this without integration carbon For material, achieve cycling 100 C 80% recovery upon reduction, representing important discovery in development