Amorphous Mo₅O₁₄-Type/Carbon Nanocomposite with Enhanced Electrochemical Capability for Lithium-Ion Batteries

An amorphous Mo_mO_3m-1/carbon nanocomposite (m ≈ 5) is fabricated from a citrate-gel precursor heated at moderate temperature (500 °C) in inert (argon) atmosphere. The as-prepared Mo₅O₁₄-type/C material is compared to α-MoO₃ synthesized from the same precursor in air. The morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy. Thermal gravimetry and elemental analysis indicate the presence of 25.8 ± 0.2% of carbon in the composite. The SEM images show that Mo₅O₁₄ is immersed inside a honeycomb-like carbon matrix providing high surface area. The RS spectrum of Mo₅O₁₄/C demonstrates an oxygen deficiency in the molybdenum oxide and the presence of a partially graphitized carbon. Outstanding improvement in electrochemical performance is obtained for the Mo₅O₁₄ encapsulated by carbon in comparison with the carbon-free MoO₃.