Anode material NbO for Li-ion battery and its electrochemical properties

The NbO electrode materials were successfully synthesized by high-temperature solid-phase method using Nb powders and Nb2O5 powders as raw materials. The crystalline structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering instrument (DLSA), half-cell charge–discharge tests, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The reaction mechanism of lithium with NbO was investigated by ex-situ XRD studies. The results show that material average Li storage voltage is nearly located at 1.6 V, and the lithium intercalation into NbO remains a single-phase process. For the first discharge, a capacity of 355 mAh·g−1 is obtained at a current rate of 0.1C, and 293 mAh·g−1 is maintained after 50 cycles, whereas a capacity of 416 mAh·g−1 is obtained at a current rate of 0.1C after ball milling. And 380 mAh·g−1 reversible capacity remains for the ball milling sample.