Graphene-attached vanadium sulfide composite prepared via microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for high performance lithium ion batteries.

Vanadium sulfide anchored on reduced graphene oxide (VSG) composite is prepared by a rapid microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The porous VSG with a large specific surface area can be obtained at 160 °C for 10 min, which significantly saves preparation time compared with traditional synthesis methods. When applied as anode material of lithium ion batteries, the VSG composite delivers an excellent cycle performance in the coin-type half cells test, with a specific capacity of 1144 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 in the 50th cycle, which is much higher than that of pure vanadium sulfide. Moreover, the electrode exhibits an enhanced rate capability and superior long-term cycling stability of 75% retention after 1589 cycles at a current density of 1000 mA g−1 which can be attributed to the wonderful capacitive contribution and the stable structure of the VSG composite. Hence, it's demonstrated that the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method is promising to synthesize electrode materials for lithium ion batteries. Image 1 • A microwave-assisted hydrothermal method is developed to synthesize the vanadium sulfide anchored on reduced graphene oxide (VSG) composite for the first time. • The VSG composite exhibits excellent electrochemical performances such as enhanced cycle stability and superior rate capability as anode material for lithium ion batteries. • The capacitive contribution of VSG composite is quantitively determined using a current separation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]