Novel Co₂ VO₄ Anodes Using Ultralight 3D Metallic Current Collector and Carbon Sandwiched Structures for...

A novel spinel Co₂ VO₄ is studied as the Li-ion battery anode material and it is sandwiched with a 3D ultralight porous current collector (PCC) and amorphous carbon. Co₂ VO₄ demonstrates the high capacity and excellent cyclability because of the mixed lithium storage mechanisms. The 3D composite structure requires no binders and replaces the conventional current collector (Cu foil) with a 3D ultralight porous metal scaffold, yielding the high electrode-based capacity. Such a novel composite anode also enables the close adhesion of Co₂ VO₄ to the PCC scaffold. The resulting monolithic electrode has the rapid electron pathway and stable mechanical properties, which lead to the excellent rate capabilities and cycling properties. At a current density of 1 A g^-1 , the PCC and carbon sandwiched Co₂ VO₄ anode is able to deliver a stable reversible capacity of about 706.8 mAh g^-1 after 1000 cycles. Generally, this study not only develops a new Co₂ VO₄ anode with high capacity and good cyclability, but also demonstrates an alternative approach to improve the electrochemical properties of high capacity anode materials by using ultralight porous metallic current collector instead of heavy copper foil.