Copper vanadates/polyaniline composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

In this study, a simple hydrothermal process has been carried out for the synthesis of Cu-5(VO4)(2)(OH)(4)center dot H2O nanorods and Cu5V2O10 nanoparticles. The copper vanadates/polyaniline (CVO/PANI) core-shell composites have also been synthesized via a simple dip-and-dry method on the surface of Cu-5(VO4)(2)(OH)(4)center dot H2O nanorods and Cu5V2O10 nanoparticles. When tested as anode materials in lithiumion batteries, the CVO/PANI composites exhibit improved electrochemical properties of high discharge capacity, excellent cycling reversibility and rate capability, compared with the pure CVO materials. The results suggest that the conductive PANI nanolayer coating helps to preserve high capacity, maintain high electrochemical stability, and reduce charge transfer resistance during cycling performance.