Data for Investigating the influence of synthesis route on the crystallinity and rate capability of niobium pentoxide for energy storage

A simple hydrothermal mechanism is used to produce an anisotropically crystalline ‘as-synthesised material’, which has not previously been characterised electrochemically. The as-synthesised material is heat-treated to produce T-Nb2O5 at 600°C and monoclinic (H-) Nb2O5 at 1000°C. We present electrochemical properties for all of these materials.

Collectively we report rate sweeps and demonstrate high current stability (20 C-rate capability) and a long life span, up to 200 cycles. We propose the H-phase as a high rate anode when prepared via an anisotropically crystalline precursor, as it is able to demonstrate 60 % capacity retention after 200 cycles at a notably high current flux of 20 C. Such high rates results are rare for this material without integration with carbon materials.