Facile and green fabrication of silver nanoparticles on a polyoxometalate for Li-ion battery

Abstract

In the present study, we report the green and one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on as-prepared novel polyoxometalate {[Ni<inf>2,5</inf>(Hpen)<inf>4</inf>(PW<inf>9</inf>O<inf>34</inf>)] · 5H<inf>2</inf>O} (POM) without any reducing agent and its application as improved anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The structure of the AgNPs involved POM (AgNPs/POM) nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesized POM was also characterized by elemental analysis and thermal analysis. The electrochemical performances of the POM, AgNPs, and AgNPs/POM composites were measured for charge/discharge specific capacities at different current rates in CR2032 coin-type cells. The prepared AgNPs/POM composite showed a high specific gravimetric capacity of about 1760 mAh g-1 and long-term cycle stability. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.