The polyaniline-V2O5 system: improvement as insertion electrode in lithiumbatteries

The application of a hybrid PAni-V2O5 cathode material in reversible lithiu m electrochemical cells is reported. We have studied the influence of synth esis conditions and subsequent treatments of the hybrid under oxygen in ord er to optimize its performance as a lithium-insertion cathode. The temperat ure and length of this treatment is a key parameter in determining the fina l specific charge of the cathode. The optimal material yielded a specific c harge as high as 302 A h kg(-1) measured at low discharge rate (C/48) corre sponding to the insertion of 2.72 lithium ions per formula unit (C6H4N)(0.6 )V2O5-0.3H(2)O). Higher scan rates of C/12 lead to specific capacities of 2 00 A h kg(-1). The thermal and electrochemical stability of the hybrid, esp ecially in relation to the decomposition of the organic polymer and their e ffect on battery performance and cyclability are also discussed. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.