Development of a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries using novel ordered mesoporous tungsten oxide materials with high electrical conductivity.

An ordered mesoporous WO(3-X) with high electrical conductivity (m-WO(3-X)) was prepared and evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Ordered mesoporous tungsten trioxide (m-WO(3)) with an identical pore structure to that of m-WO(3-X) and bulk WO(3-X) (b-WO(3-X)) was prepared for the comparison purpose. An m-WO(3-X) electrode exhibited a high reversible capacity (748 mAh g(-1), 6.5 Li/W) and a high volumetric capacity (∼1500 mAh cm(-3)), which is comparable to the Li metal itself (ca. 2000 mAh cm(-3)). Also, an improved rate capability and a good cyclability were observed in the m-WO(3-X) electrode when compared with m-WO(3) and b-WO(3-X) electrodes. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the advanced anode performance of the m-WO(3-X) electrode was probably attributed to large ordered mesopores and a high electrical conductivity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) result displayed that the safety of m-WO(3-X) was more improved than those of graphite and Si anode materials.