Rational synthesis of "grape-like" Ni2V2O7 microspheres as high-capacity anodes for rechargeable lithium batteries

Vanadates have received booming attention recently as promising materials for extensive electrochemical devices such as batteries and electrocatalysis. However, the enormous difficulties of achieving pure-phase transition metal vanadates, especially for nickel-based, hinder their exploitations. Herein, for the first time, by controlling the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) and reaction time, grape-like Ni2 V2 O7 (or V2 O5 /Ni2 V2 O7 ) microspheres were rationally fabricated. It is demonstrated that the EG can chelate both Ni2+ and VO3- to form organometallic precursors. As anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), it could deliver superior reversible capacity of 1050 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g and excellent rate capability of 600 mAh/g at 4 A/g. The facile hydrothermal synthesis broadens the material variety of nickel vanadates and offers new opportunities for their wider applications in electrochemistry.