Investigating the Rate-Cycling Effects on Nanochanneled Niobium Oxide

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a powerful technology that are utilized in various items such as cellphones, computers, and cars. Optimizations can be made in the anode electrode material of these batteries. Nanochanneled niobium oxides (NCNOs), in particular provide an attractive alternative to the traditional graphite anode with its rich redox chemistry, safer potential window, and chemical stability. In this work, amorphous NCNOs samples were made by electropolishing followed by anodization. Characterization was completed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Preliminary electrochemical characterization was conducted on the NCNOs samples by identifying cycling rate effects. The investigation of rate effects on NCNOs may provide insight into how cycling rate affects transformation of the anode electrode.