Li 2−x V x ZnTi 3 O 8 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) anode (negative electrode) materials were successfully synthesized by a facile solid-state reaction method, and the structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the Li 2−x V x ZnTi 3 O 8 materials were investigated. Li 2−x V x ZnTi 3 O 8 (x = 0 and 0.05) samples show the pure phase structure with P4 3 32 space group, but several rutile TiO 2 peaks are founded in Li 2−x V x ZnTi 3 O 8 (x ≥ 0.1). V-doping does not change the electrochemical reaction mechanism and destroy the structure of Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 . All samples show a size distribution under 1 μm, but the V-doped powders show a narrower particle size distribution and less agglomeration than those of pristine Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 . Electrochemical kinetics results reveal that the V-doped Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 samples display higher reversibility, larger lithium diffusion coefficients and lower charge-transfer resistances than those of pristine Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 . Galvanostatic electrochemical tests show that the Li 1.95 V 0.05 ZnTi 3 O 8 /Li half cell delivers the highest lithiation capacities at various rates (213.3, 171.2, 132.5, and 84.7 mA h g −1 at 0.2, 1, 2, and 5 C rates, respectively), whereas the Li 2 ZnTi 3 O 8 /Li half cell delivers much less lithiation capacities at all rates (184.5, 129.5, 107.3, and 24 mA h g −1 at 0.2, 1, 2, and 5 C rates, respectively). The simple preparation process, low preparation cost, excellent cycling stability, and wide voltage range give the Li 1.95 V 0.05 ZnTi 3 O 8 potential for commercial application in the future.
