Catalytic behavior of V2O5 in rechargeable Li–O2 batteries

The possibility of using vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) as a catalyst in rechargeable lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries was studied. A V2O5-carbon composite was cast onto Ni foam to form a cathode. Electrochemical cells designed based on the flat cell manufactured by Hohsen Corporation were fabricated. The initial discharge capacity was 715 mA h g−1, and the maximum discharge capacity reached 2,260 mA h g−1 during the twelfth cycle. The cell had high capacity retention during cycling (1.24 % during cycles 2–8). V2O5 acted as a catalyst as well as an active material, improving the specific capacity and capacity retention of the non-aqueous Li–O2 cell more effectively than do other materials.