Abstract
The sol-gel process offers a convenient synthetic route for creating electrochemical materials with very different properties as compared to traditional solid state chemistry methods. In particular, our work on vanadium oxide aerogels indicates that these materials exhibit novel electrochemical properties, including a combination of battery-like and capacitor-like responses. Our studies show that the unique morphology features of the aerogel, interconnected mesoporosity and high surface area, are of central importance in creating the extraordinary electrochemical properties. In addition, we have used the solution nature of the sol-gel process to synthesize nanocomposite electrodes consisting of the vanadium oxide aerogel in intimate contact with single wall carbon nanotubes. High electrical conductivity is developed within the nanocomposite and the resulting materials exhibit superior electrochemical properties at high discharge rates.
