Microwave hydrothermal synthesis of SbVO4 nanospheres as anode materials for sodium ion batteries

Sb-based compounds are regarded as promising anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Here, uniform SbVO4 nanospheres with an average size of around 100 nm are prepared by a facile microwave hydrothermal treating the mixed solution of SbF3 and NaVO3 at 160 °C for 90 min. When evaluated as an anode material for SIBs, the SbVO4 electrode displays superior sodium storage properties with good cycling stability and high rate capability, delivering a high reversible capacity of 318 mAh/g after 50 cycles at 200 mA/g and even 210 mAh/g at high current densities of 2 A/g. This work opens the door for convenient synthesis of nanostructured SbVO4 as excellent anode materials for SIBs.