Synthesis and electrochemical properties of MoO₃/C nanocomposite

A nano-MoO₃/C composite was synthesized using the electrospinning method. Thermal analysis was used to determine the carbon content in the composite. The MoO₃/C composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, and the particle size and shape of the MoO₃/C composite were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the MoO₃/C composite takes on the morphology of nanofibers, with the diameters of the nanofibers ranging from 50 to 200 nm. The nanofibers are composed of amorphous nano-MoO₃ and carbon, with the carbon content in the composite about 42% and the MoO₃ content about 58%. The electrochemical properties of the MoO₃/C composite were also investigated. The MoO₃/C composite nanofiber electrodes exhibited both high reversible capacity and good cycling performance when cycled at room temperature in a 3.0-0.01 V potential (vs Li/Li⁺) window at current density of 40 mA g^-1. The MoO₃/C composite retained a discharge capacity of 710 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles. When the load current density was increased to 800 mA g^-1, the MoO₃/C composite still retained a discharge capacity of 300 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles. The reasons for the outstanding electrochemical properties of the MoO₃/C composite are also discussed. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.