Surfactant Effect as Template Agent on the Morphological and Electrochemical Properties of V2O5

The effect of the release of cetylpyridinium chloride surfactant into the V2O5 following the behavior of lithium intercalation into an electrode containing the V2O5 film has been investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated formation of a lamellar structure. After the calcination and release of surfactant occurred the formation of an orthorhombic structure. Scanning Electronic Microscopy shows that the route employed for the preparation of an open network V2O5 structure was successful. The electrochemical performance of the open network structured material compared with a compact structure of V2O5, via sol-gel route as lithium intercalation cathode materials were evaluated. The open network material reaches stability more easily and presents a high total voltammetric charge after several cycles compared with the V2O5 xerogel. Lithium intercalation into the V2O5 electrode is very influenced by open network surface and surface irregularity, in contrast with the compact surface of the V2O5 xerogel.