Liquid-Phase Synthesis of Monodispersed V⁵⁺ Faradic Electrode Toward High-Performance Supercapacitor Application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Layered vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is a key battery-type electrode material for supercapacitors.
• V2O5 nanomaterials synthesized via non-aqueous solvents offer potential for enhanced energy storage.
• Understanding the role of synthesis solvents is crucial for optimizing V2O5 performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the liquid-phase synthesis of orthorhombic V2O5 using quartet glycols.
• To examine the explicit roles of ethylene, diethylene, triethylene, and tetraethylene glycols in V2O5 charge storage.
• To evaluate the electrochemical performance of V2O5 electrodes derived from different glycols for supercapacitor applications.

Main Methods:

• Liquid-phase synthesis of V2O5 nanomaterials using ethylene, diethylene, triethylene, and tetraethylene glycols.
• Characterization of V2O5 morphology and crystallinity.
• Electrochemical analysis using a three-electrode cell setup and Trasatti analysis.
• Fabrication and testing of an aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor device (DV//AC).

Main Results:

• V2O5 was confirmed as an intercalative material in all tested glycols.
• Glycols influenced the crystalline, rod-like morphology and monodispersity of V2O5.
• The diethylene glycol (DV) derived V2O5 electrode showed a superior specific capacity of 460.2 C/g at 1 A/g.
• Trasatti analysis revealed a high total capacitance (961.53 C/g) for DV, with dominant diffusion-controlled contribution.
• The DV//AC device achieved a maximum energy density of 65.72 Wh/kg at 1199.97 W/kg.

Conclusions:

• Quartet glycols are effective in synthesizing V2O5 nanomaterials suitable for supercapacitors.
• Diethylene glycol yields V2O5 electrodes with exceptional electrochemical performance.
• Glycol-derived V2O5 electrodes represent promising candidates for meeting electrochemical energy storage demands.