Bio-chemistry directed Li3V2(PO4)3@C cathode with honeycomb framework for long-cycle lithium ion batteries

Li3V2(PO4)(3) (LVP) is a promising cathode for Li ion batteries (LIBs). But more effort need to do to improve its electronic conductivity. Honeycomb-like LVP@C materials with continuous carbon framework and hierarchical porous structure (macropores and mesopores) are successfully fabricated based on the nature lignocellulose fibers by biochemistry-directed self-assembly. The designed LVP@C has the advantage of large surface area, superior structure stability and short ion/electrons transport pathway. As the cathode for LIBs, it exhibits the initial specific capacity of 180 mAh g(-1) (91% of the theoretical specific capacity) with the energy density of 666 Wh/kg, which is much better than those reported in most literatures. Moreover, it also displays outstanding long-cycle performance with almost 100% capacity retained after 500 cycles. And most importantly, the biomass material used in the fabricating process is low-cost, renewable and environmentally friendly, which can decrease the present cost of the Li ion batteries (LIBs) and reduce the environmental pollution caused by batteries. The honeycomb-like structure puts forward a new strategy to develop high-performance polyanion-based materials for low cost and high-power LIBs. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.