A NEW APPROACH TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF LI1+XV3O8 PERFORMANCE IN RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES

A method for the improvement of the electrochemical properties of Li1xV3O8 is presented based on the partial modification of its crystal st ructure by the introduction of small amounts of inorganic compounds, s uch as H2O, CO2 and NH3. The modification is performed by preliminary insertion of these molecules at high (H2O) or ambient pressure (CO2) o r by use of appropriate method of synthesis (NH3). A remarkable specif ic capacity of about 280 mAh/g has been achieved corresponding to the reversible intercalation of 3 equivalents of Li per mol Li1+xV3O8. The high capacity performance and the good reversibility observed is assi gned to the preliminary expansion of the interlayer spacing by the ino rganic compounds inserted into it, this leading to an increased mobili ty and enhanced distribution of the Li+ ions in the Li1+xV3O8 layers.