Synthesis and characterization of V2O5–SiO2 xerogel composites prepared by base catalysed sol–gel method

In this report, the base-catalyzed sol–gel synthesis and electrochemical properties of homogeneous mixed oxide xerogel composite composed of vanadium pentoxide xerogel dispersed in a silica matrix are described. It was verified that the immobilization of vanadium pentoxide xerogel in a silica matrix does not affect its lamellar structure or its electrochemical properties. The silica matrix provides an improvement of the electrochemical properties, mainly in relation to the lithium electroinsertion into the oxide matrix with little decrease in the total charge during successive redox cycles. Moreover, the voltammetric behavior is dependent on the support electrolyte solution with varying cationic species. The effects of different catalysts were investigated.