One-step uniform rotation solvothermal synthesis of a LiVO@rGO anode material with superior cycling and rate performance

Given its safer working potential and higher theoretical capacity, LiVO has become a potential alternative anode material to graphite. However, the hydrophilicity, low electrical conductivity, and unsatisfactory reaction kinetics of the LiVO anode pose a challenge. In this paper, a graphene-wrapped LiVO@rGO hybrid was prepared using a novel efficient uniform rotation solvothermal (URS) method. Graphene with high electrical conductivity accelerates the reaction kinetics of the anode material to improve its rate performance. The URS method restrains the agglomeration of particles to shorten the diffusion paths of Li. The uniform reaction obtained by this method and the lamellar shape of graphene synergistically enlarge the specific surface area of LiVO to supply additional active sites for the extraction/insertion of Li. Therefore, LiVO@rGO-R exhibits superior cycling performance (249.5 mA h g after 4000 cycles at 5 A g) and rate performance (243.3 mA h g at 10 A g). This study provides a versatile and efficient method for enhancing the electrochemical performance of anode materials.