The crystal structure and electronic properties of Ag2V4O11 have been explo
red by means of x-ray four-circle diffraction and through measurements of e
lectrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, magnetization, and electron pa
ramagnetic resonance. The crystal data for the nearly stoichiometric compou
nd show a monoclinic structure with space group C2/m; a = 15.480(3) Angstro
m, b = 3.582(1) Angstrom, c = 9.537(2) Angstrom, beta = 128.741(9)degrees,
and Z = 2. The structure at 293 K determined with residual factors of R = 0
.055 and R-w = 0.051 is described as the stacking of layers formed by shari
ng edges and corners of distorted VO6 octahedra. The transport mechanism of
3d electrons donated by the slight deficiency of oxygen atoms is understoo
d as a small-polaron conduction in the localized states of band tails.