One-step synthesis of vanadium-doped anatase mesocrystals for Li-ion battery anodes

Here we report a successful one-step synthesis of vanadium-doped anatase mesocrystals by reactive annealing of NH₄TiOF₃/PEG2000 mesocrystal precursors with NH₄VO₃. The formation solid solution Ti_1-VO₂with vanadium content up tox = 25 at% inheriting the structure of mesocrystals is observed for the first time. The doping mechanism via vapor phase transport of vanadium is proposed. The Ti_1-VO₂mesocrystals exhibit improved specific capacity of 175 mAh g^-1(compared to 150 mAh g^-1for pure anatase phase) and decreased potential gap between charge and discharge processes.