Abstract
Nanochemical improvements of vanadium diboride are probed to facilitate anodic charge transfer, and an extractable casette chemical recharge concept for this anode is introduced. VB2 releases 11 electrons per molecule, via electrochemical oxidation, at a favorable, electrochemical potential. The discharge voltage is highly level throughout a deep discharge. This unusual multi-electron redox couple provides a charge capacity of 4060 mAh/g, which is greater than other anodes, including more than lithium. Coupled with an air cathode, the VB2 anode has energy capacity among the highest of any electrochemical storage battery or fuel cell. Nanoparticle formation is accomplished with a planetary ball mill media (tungsten carbide) with hardness comparable to that of VB2 (8-9 Mohs2). Mechanochemical synthesized, VB2 nanorods, exhibit higher voltage, sustain higher rate, and depth of discharge than macroscopic VB2.