Hollow structured Li₃VO₄ wrapped with graphene nanosheets in situ prepared by a one-pot template-free method as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

To explore good anode materials of high safety, high reversible capacity, good cycling, and excellent rate capability, a Li₃VO₄ microbox with wall thickness of 40 nm was prepared by a one-pot and template-free in situ hydrothermal method. In addition, its composite with graphene nanosheets of about six layers of graphene was achieved. Both of them, especially the Li₃VO₄/graphene nanosheets composite, show superior electrochemical performance to the formerly reported vanadium-based anode materials. The composite shows a reversible capacity of 223 mAh g ^-1 even at 20C (1C = 400 mAh g^-1). After 500 cycles at 10C there is no evident capacity fading.