Layered vanadium oxides have proven to be the most promising electrode materials for aqueous rechargeable batteries on account of their multiple valence states of vanadium and large interlayer spacing. However, capacity decay due to vanadium dissolution and structural instability remains a great challenge. Our prior research has revealed these problems can be mitigated by chemical pre-intercalation of metal cations with much enhanced power and energy densities as well as much improved energy conversion efficiency. But fundamental understandings are yet to be achieved, my next-step work includes a detailed study on effects of coordination, valences, electronegativity of those preinserted ions on the electronic and crystal structures, and the electrochemical stability and intercalation kinetics of vanadium oxides. I will also explore the interplay between the pre-inserted ions and the interlayer water content in the structure, and the catalytic impacts of V4+, generated to accommodate pre-inserted cations.
Advisor: Guozhong Cao – Material Science & Engineering