Development of three-dimensional nano-architectures on current collectors has emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing rate capability and cycling stability of the electrodes. Herein, a novel type of Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowires, organized by ultrathin hierarchical nanosheets (less than 5 nm) on Ti foil, has been obtained by a two-step hydrothermal synthesis method. Studies on structural and thermal properties of the as-prepared Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowire arrays are carried out and their morphology has changed obviously in the following heat treatment at 300 and 500 °C. As an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, the unique configuration of Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowires presents enhanced capacitance, satisfying rate capability and good cycling stability. The reversible capacity of the as-prepared Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowire arrays reaches 969.72 mAh·g⁻¹ with a coulombic efficiency over 99% at 500 mA·g⁻¹ after 500 cycles.

A high-performance and novel photocatalyst of BiVO₄-reduced Graphene Oxide (BiVO₄-rGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy, respectively. The visible-light photocatalytic activity was evaluated by oxidation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the BiVO₄-rGO nanocomposites exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MO with a maximum removal rate of 98.95% under visible light irradiation as compared with pure BiVO₄ (57.55%) due to the increased light absorption intensity and the degradation of electron-hole pair recombination in BiVO₄ with the introduction of the rGO.