Novel V2O5/polythiophene composite: An advanced cathode material for rechargeable aluminium batteries

Abstract

This research introduces a simple method for creating a V₂O₅/polythiophene (PTh) composite through chemical oxidation, which was later utilized as the cathode material in rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries. The electrolyte used in this study consisted of a 1.5:1 AlCl₃:[BMIm]Cl eutectic mixture, while aluminium acted as the anode. The composite's structural and microstructural properties were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and the energy storage mechanism was explored via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The V₂O₅/PTh composite exhibited remarkable electrochemical characteristics, achieving a current density of 100 mA/g and a discharge capacity of 255 mAh/g. Furthermore, it successfully completed around 300 charge–discharge cycles while maintaining a high coulombic efficiency of 93%. This study elaborates on the synthesis of polythiophene and its integration into a V₂O₅/FeCl₃/CHCl₃ reaction mixture, resulting in a uniform composite under optimized reaction conditions. The findings underscore the promising capabilities of the V₂O₅/PTh cathode in improving the performance of aluminium-ion batteries. The research not only demonstrates the effective synthesis of the composite but also highlights its potential applications in energy storage technologies, paving the way for advancements in battery performance and efficiency.