Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-assisted synthesis of self-assembled cactus-like NH4V3O8 for lithium ion battery cathode

Self-assembled cactus-like NH4V3O8 is prepared through polyethylene glycol (PEG)-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Adjusting the pH value of the solution can effectively control the morphology of NH4V3O8. The electrochemical measurements indicate that the sample which pH value is 3.7, shows the best cycling performance. It delivers an initial discharge capacity is 228 mAh g−1 and maintains at 156 mAh g−1 under 15 mA g−1 after 50 cycles. The proposed synthetic method can also be developed to address other electrode materials with inferior electronic conductivity and lithium ion diffusion.