Nanostructured vanadium tri-oxides, as a long life and high performance anode for sodium-ion battery

Highlights: • Different morphology V₂O₃ synthesized by the single step reduction process at a fixed temperature. • The growth mechanism of different morphology V₂O₃ was investigated. • Exhibiting of high capacity (318 mAh g⁻¹), high rate capability and long cycle life (5300 cycles) anode material for SIB. • Insertion/de-insertion mechanism of V₂O₃ was investigated by XANES and electrochemical experiments. -- Abstract: Choice of hard carbon may not be an ideal selection in rechargeable sodium-ion battery anode when the performance is looked at a higher rate and longer cycle life. Herein, we report vanadium tri-oxides (V₂O₃) with different morphology produced by one step reduction process at a fixed temperature as a power capable sodium-ion battery anode. The comparison study of these different morphologies of V₂O₃ electrodes shows the porous hollow nanotube V₂O₃ electrode display better electrochemical performance against sodium metal in terms of high specific capacity, higher rate capability with extraordinary cycling stability without incorporating any graphene or carbonaceous materials to it. This porous hollow nanotube exhibits the 2nd cycle reversible capacity of ca. 318 mAh g⁻¹ at a charging rate of 100 mA g⁻¹ and it can even sustain up to 5300 cycles with 90% capacity retention. The average Coulombic efficiency was maintained at 99.94% with a very high current rate of 2000 mA g⁻¹. We further investigate the sodiation mechanism by cyclic voltammetry and XANES technique in details. The study reveals that with suitable morphology and appropriate cell design can bring this V₂O₃ material as a promising anode in future sodium-ion battery technology.