Anode material NbO for Li‐ion battery and its electrochemical properties

The NbO electrode materials were successfully synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐phase method using Nb powders and Nb 2 O 5 powders as raw materials. The crystalline structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the obtained materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering instrument (DLSA), half‐cell charge–discharge tests, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The reaction mechanism of lithium with NbO was investigated by ex‐situ XRD studies. The results show that material average Li storage voltage is nearly located at 1.6 V, and the lithium intercalation into NbO remains a single‐phase process. For the first discharge, a capacity of 355 mAh·g −1 is obtained at a current rate of 0.1C, and 293 mAh·g −1 is maintained after 50 cycles, whereas a capacity of 416 mAh·g −1 is obtained at a current rate of 0.1C after ball milling. And 380 mAh·g −1 reversible capacity remains for the ball milling sample.