β-Cyclodextrin coated lithium vanadium phosphate as novel cathode material for lithium ion batteries

As a new carbon source, β-cyclodextrin was used to synthesize a Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) via a rheological phase method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrated that the sample had a pure monoclinic structure and sharp diffraction peaks, indicating good crystallinity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the sample had a uniform and optimal particle size, which is beneficial to the electrochemical performance of LIBs. In the voltage range of 3.0-4.3 V, the initial discharge capacity of the sample was 111 mA h g^-1 and remained 109.3 mA h g^-1 after 50 cycles at 0.1C rate. In the high voltage range of 3.0-4.8 V, the initial discharge capacity was 151.4 mA h g^-1 and remained 131.5 mA h g^-1 after 25 cycles at 0.1C rate, indicating that β-cyclodextrin is a promising carbon source for LIB materials.