Li2.6V6O16 +/- y kappa '-bronze: Synthesis by the alkoxide process, conductivity, and electrochemical performance

The kappa'-bronze Li2.6V6O16 (+/- y) was prepared from VO(OPri)(2), VO(OBui )(3), and LiOR (R = Et, Pr). As determined by x-ray diffraction and electro n scanning microscopy, the bronze had a highly textured microstructure. The vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) contents of the bronze were determined by cyc lic voltammetry, and the electrical conductivity was measured in the temper ature range 20-400 degrees C. The alkoxide process was shown to ensure good reproducibility of the electrical properties of the material. The electroc hemical behavior of the bronze was studied in a 1 M solution of LiClO4 in a propylene carbonate (70 wt %) + dimethoxyethane (30 wt %) mixture in a gal vanostatic cycling regime using Li metal counter and reference electrodes.