One-step synthesis of vanadium-doped anatase mesocrystals for Li-ion battery anodes

Here we report a successful one-step synthesis of vanadium-doped anatase mesocrystals by reactive annealing of NH4TiOF3/PEG2000 mesocrystal precursors with NH4VO3. The formation solid solution Ti1-xVxO2with vanadium content up tox = 25 at% inheriting the structure of mesocrystals is observed for the first time. The doping mechanism via vapor phase transport of vanadium is proposed. The Ti1-xVxO2mesocrystals exhibit improved specific capacity of 175 mAh g-1(compared to 150 mAh g-1for pure anatase phase) and decreased potential gap between charge and discharge processes.