Enhanced electrochemical performance of orientated VO2(B) raft-like nanobelt arrays through direct lithiation for lithium ion batteries.

Lithiation modification of VO2(B) has been carried out by a facile hydrothermal process, and the compact and locally ordered VO2(B) raft-like nanobelt arrays have been prepared. The synthesis route provides a new approach to elaborate a VO2(B) nanostructure under a mild environment condition. It is found that the growth mechanism of VO2(B) raft-like nanobelt arrays is different from the traditional nucleation-growth process. A novel chemical lithiating-exfoliating-splitting model is proposed. Compared with the bulk counterpart, the lithiated VO2(B) raft-like nanobelt arrays as cathodes exhibit a higher discharge capacity and an enhanced high-rate performance owing to their increased structural anisotropy and decreased polarization. This work indicates that VO2(B) raft-like nanobelt arrays have great potential applications as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries.