CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER VANADIUM-OXIDE CATHODE MATERIAL BY HIGH-RESOLUTION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY

The nature of the discharge reaction of lithium/silver vanadium oxide batteries was investigated. The lithiation of silver vanadium oxide, w hich has the formula Ag2-yV4O11, proceeds by a multistep reaction, as indicated by the open-circuit voltage curve. The first step in the dis charge reaction involves reduction of silver and separation of the oxi de into two phases of differing composition. Electron diffraction of l ithiated materials of various compositions suggests that the layered s tructure of the oxide is maintained, but with an increased amount of s tacking disorder. High-resolution electron micrographs of lithiated Ag 2-yV4O11 at atomic resolution could not be obtained because of sample decomposition in the electron beam.