Improved Cycling Performance of Directly Lithiated MoO3 Nanobelts

Lithiation modification of MoO3 nanobelts was carried out by a simple hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the directly lithiated MoO3 nanobelts were characterized by XRD and SEM. The results show that, compared to that of pristine MoO3 nanobelts, the size of lithiated MoO3 nanobelts with a width of about 200 nm and a length of 5~8 μm decreases, while preserving crystal structure and belt-shape morphology. The lithiated MoO3 nanobelts exhibit good cycling capability, with a capacity retention rate of 50% after 39 cycles, while the non-lithiated nanobelts retain only 26.5%. It is proposed that the Li+ ions occupy the interstitial site of MoO3 lattice which can stabilize the structure and reduce the electrostatic interaction between MoO3 layer and Li+ ions in the interlayer during the discharge, resulting in the improvement of electrochemical performance.