LAUSR

Abstract$$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials with rough surface were synthesized using commercial $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5, ethanol (EtOH) and $$\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O}$$H2O as the starting materials by a simple hydrothermal route and combination of calcination. The electrochemical properties of $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials as electrodes in a supercapacitor device were measured using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) method. $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials exhibit the specific capacitance of 423 F $$\hbox {g}^{-1}$$g-1 at the current density of 0.5 A $$\hbox {g}^{-1}$$g-1 and retain 327 F $$\hbox {g}^{-1}$$g-1 even at the high current density of 10 A $$\hbox {g}^{-1}$$g-1. The influence of the ratio of $$\hbox {EtOH/H}_{2}\hbox {O}$$EtOH/H2O, the calcined time and temperature on the morphology, purity and electrochemical property of the products is discussed in detail. The results revealed that the ratio of $$\hbox {EtOH}\hbox {/}\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O}= 10\hbox {/}25$$EtOH/H2O=10/25 and calcination at $$400{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$400∘C for 2–4 h are favourable for preparing $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials and they exhibited the best electrochemical property. The novel morphology and high specific surface area are the main factors that contribute to high electrochemical performance of $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials during the charge–discharge processes. It turns out that $$\hbox {V}_{2}\hbox {O}_{5}$$V2O5 nanomaterials with rough surface is an ideal material for supercapacitor electrode in the present work.