Synthesis of Lithium vanadium tetroxide anode material via a fast sol-gel method based on spontaneous chemical reactions

•Li3VO4 has been synthesized via fast sol-gel method for the first time.•The effects of heating temperature on the Li3VO4 are investigated.•The Li3VO4 anode shows excellent cycle stability and rate capability.•The charge capacities retains 310.5mAhg−1 after 50 cycles at 0.1C. Lithium vanadium tetroxide (Li3VO4) anode material has been synthesized by a fast sol–gel method based on spontaneous chemical reactions. The crystal structures, surface morphologies and electrochemical performances of the Li3VO4 samples calcined at different temperatures are investigated. In the potential range of 0.02–3.0V, the sample sintered at 600°C shows the highest initial charge capacities of 276.2mAhg−1, 258.4mAhg−1, 201.4mAhg−1, at 0.1C, 0.2C and 0.5C, respectively. After 50 cycles, the charge capacities still retains 310.5mAhg−1, 278.1mAhg−1 and 222.4mAhg−1 at 0.1C, 0.2C and 0.5C, respectively. It shows fast sol-gel method is promising in synthesize stable Li3VO4 for EV or HEV applications.