Low temperature synthesis and electrochemical performance of crystallized FeVO4 center dot 1.1H(2)O

A wet synthesis method, which consists in a precipitation reaction occurrin g without pH control, is described to obtain a hydrated crystallized iron o rthovanadate, Both reaction time and temperature parameters were used to re ach the thermodynamic equilibrium formation conditions of FeVO4.1.1H(2)O. B y means of several characterization techniques this compound was identified as similar to the fervanite mineral Fe4V4O16. 5H(2)O. Like the other iron- based orthovanadates, this fervanite-type phase displays unusual electroche mical properties with respect to Li acceptance/removal at low average volta ges. From the electrochemical data collected on the artificial fervanite an d its dehydrated products, a linear correlation between the material water content and its electrochemical performances, namely in terms of irreversib le and reversible capacities, has been found. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.