Hydrogenated V2O5 with Improved Optical and Electrochemical Activities for Photo‐Accelerated Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Solar power represents an abundant and readily available source of renewable energy. However, its intermittent nature necessitates external energy storage solutions, which can often be expensive, bulky, and associated with energy conversion losses. This study introduces the concept of a photo-accelerated battery that seamlessly integrates energy harvesting and storage functions within a single device. In this research, a novel approach for crafting photocathodes is presented using hydrogenated vanadium pentoxide (H:V₂O₅) nanofibers. This method enhances optical activity, electronic conductivity, and ion diffusion rates within photo-accelerated Li-ion batteries. This study findings reveal that H:V₂O₅ exhibits notable improvements in specific capacity under both dark and illuminated conditions. Furthermore, it demonstrates enhanced diffusion kinetics and charge storage performance when exposed to light, as compared to pristine counterparts. This strategy of defect engineering holds great promise for the development of high-performance photocathodes in future energy storage applications.