Selected-control synthesis and characterisation of nanoscaled ammonium vanadates with good cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rüdiger Klingeler
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2013 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255305334

Vanadium oxide and related nanomaterials are particularly promising regarding low-dimensional magnetic properties as well as their potential for energy storage in Li-ion batteries and supercaps. Main advantages are easy synthesis, low cost, low toxicity, and high capacity. We propose to study the growth mechanisms and synthesis routes as well as the structural, magnetic, and electrochemical properties of V-based nanomaterials. This will be achieved by an interdisciplinary Russian-German collaboration combining the competences of the host team, i.e. condensed matter physics and materials science including battery research, and of Dr. Zakharova and her team, who is an internationally renowned inorganic chemist with great experience in synthesis of inorganic nanostructures. In particular, we will study in detail the effect of structure, morphology, and particle size of the vanadium oxide micro- and nanocompounds on their physical and electrochemical properties. Two types of potential battery materials will be investigated: ammonium vanadium oxides and lithium vanadium oxides. Particular emphasis will be put on improving the materials regarding cycling stability and discharge capacity in Li-ion batteries. The main scientific aims are (1) to gain fundamental understanding of growth mechanisms and synthesis routes, (2) to study size effects on the magnetic properties, and (3) to search for cathode material with a good cycling stability and discharge capacity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants