Vanadium telluride VTe2: a novel cathode for rechargeable aluminum batteries and its performance optimization

Vanadium telluride VTe2 has been successfully synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and characterized for the first time as a cathode for rechargeable aluminum batteries. The electrochemical activity of VTe2 originates from the redox pairs Te4+/Te2- and V5+/V4+. VTe2 delivers a first discharge capacity of 275 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 vs. an Al anode. The charge transport within VTe2 is based on interaction with AlCl4- anions, while the charge storage mechanism is dominated by surface-controlled processes at low voltages and by diffusion-controlled processes at high voltages. However, VTe2 suffers a rapid, drastic capacity loss and a short cycle life (