One-step synthesis of dense and spherical nanostructured V₂O₅ particles for cathode of lithium batteries and their electrochemical properties

Graphical abstract: Dense and spherical nanostructured V₂O₅ particles. - Highlights: • One-step synthesis of dense, spherical, nanostructured V₂O₅ particles was achieved. • As-prepared V₂O₅ consists of primary particles of approximately 100 nm size. • The electrochemical performance of spherical nanostructured V₂O₅ was investigated. • The potential range affects to the discharge capacity and cyclability of V₂O₅. - Abstract: A one-step synthesis of V₂O₅ was directly achieved via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at various synthesis temperatures ranging from 500 to 700 °C. The V₂O₅ prepared at 500 °C is dense and spherical nanostructured particles, which consist of primary particles with a size of approximately 100 nm. The morphology change remarkably progresses with increasing synthesis temperatures from 500 to 700 °C. The electrochemical performance of a cathode comprising dense and spherical nanostructured V₂O₅ particles prepared at 500 °C was investigated by galvanostatic discharge–charge cycling and cyclic voltammetry. From the discharge–charge cycling, the initial discharge capacity of the cathode was found to be about 403 mAh g⁻¹ in the potential range of 1.5–4.0 V, but it decreased owing to inherent phase changes with repeated cycling. The potential range significantly affects the cycle performance, and the V₂O₅ cathode showed good cycle performance in the potential range of 2.5–4.0 V