Enhanced electrochemical performance of a selectively formed V2O3/C composite structure for Li-ion batteries

• V 2 O 3 and V 2 O 3 /C were selectively synthesized. • V 2 O 3 /C showed a uniform microsphere and uniform coating of carbon on V 2 O 3. • V 2 O 3 /C showed the improved electrochemical performance in LIBs. • The improved performance might be attributed to a carbon network. The electrochemical performance of V 2 O 3 as an anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is quite good but it is very difficult to compete with Si/C composites. Because its intrinsic electrical conductivity and volumetric expansion during charging/discharging limit its applications as an anode in LIBs. In this study, microspherical V 2 O 3 anode samples were prepared using a facile synthesis procedure such as the solvothermal method and heating process. Furthermore, a composite sample comprising V 2 O 3 and carbon (V 2 O 3 /C) could be selectively prepared in the absence of ethanol washing and centrifugation. In particular, compared to a commercial V 2 O 3 and V 2 O 3 , the V 2 O 3 /C anode exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance, i.e., rate performance (230 mAh g −1 at 1.0 A g −1 , 180 mAh g −1 at 2.0 A g −1 ), cycling properties (508 mAh g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 for 100 cycles), and high retention (~100%).