In recent years, the popularity of high-power equipment such as electric vehicles demands higher the energy density, higher the power density and low cost of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)^[]. Therefore, it is promoted to research for new electrode materials with new mechanism and new chemistry^[]. In addition, the capacity of LIBs is typically limited by the cathode^[]. For example, in LIBs based on LiCoO₂//graphite system, which have achieved great success in commercialization, the reversible capacities of LiCoO₂ (~137 mAh g^-1) is lower than that of graphite (~370 mAh g^-1)^[]. It is necessary to improve the capacity of the cathode in order to improve the performance of LIBs. Among the cathode materials, Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) is considered as the ideal next-generation electrode material due to their high theoretical capacities (294 mAh g^-1), high energy densities, good safety and low cost^[]. Nevertheless, its poor rate-capability and cycling stability caused by severe structural changes and the sluggish electrons/lithium transportation during the repeated lithium intercalation/deintercalation hinders its commercialization[]. To remedy the issues, several solutions to synthesize of nanostructured V₂O₅ with various morphologies including nanorods,[] nanobelts,[] nanosheet,[] and hollow spheres,[]. Nanostructures are believed to shorten the lithium ion (Li⁺) diffusion lengths, and increase electrode/electrolyte contact area. However, in nanostructures, structural collapse can be emerged during Li⁺ ion penetration procedure and particles agglomeration which cause separation between particles and conductive agents.[] In particular, 1D-nanostructred V₂O₅ with the length along [010], which is the fastest growth direction of V₂O₅,[] has been investigated in many studies because of its simplicity in synthesis[]. But, it can be thought that 1D-nanostructured V₂O₅ has long Li⁺ ion diffusion distance along [010] direction, which is corresponding to the energy preferred Li⁺ ion diffusion path^[]. 1D diffusion along the short [010] direction in V₂O₅ can be the fast Li⁺ ion diffusion path for cathode applications. Therefore, to design an optimal structure for V₂O₅ as electrode materials, the following conditions should be satisfied: ⅰ) Stacking structures consisted of primary nanostructured units to prevent agglomeration. ii) A short [010] length with high percentage of exposed (010) facets to shorten a Li⁺ ion diffusion path and facilitate the Li⁺ ion intercalation reactions.

In this work, we study the synthesis of nanoplates–stacked V₂O₅ (Li-treated VO) through Li-treatment method in hydrothermal synthesis followed by heat treatment. Li⁺ ions from lithium nitrate (LiNO₃), which is added to precursor solution, inhibit the completely phase transition from xerogel to crystal during hydrothermal process, leading to formation of xerogel/crystal composite. During following heat treatment process, the cleavage and oriented attachment mechanism are accompanied, evolving nanoplates–stacked V₂O₅ with short [010] length and highly exposed (010) facets (Figure 1). The Li-treated VO electrodes could facilitate the fast and efficient transportation of Li⁺ into the [010] channel. In the voltage range of 2.05–4.0 V (vs. Li/Li⁺), Li-treated VO electrodes can achieve a reversible capacity of 252 mAh g^-1 at 50 mA g^-1 (Figure 2). Importantly, Li-treated VO electrode exhibits a higher rate performance (140 mAh g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 (Figure 2)) and cycling capability (79 % capacity retention after 100 cycles (Figure 3)) compared to untreated V₂O₅ nanobelt (VO) electrode. Furthermore, the reversible lithium intercalation reaction and structure stability of Li-treated VO are confirmed.