Synthesis and characterization of a new trimetallic cathode material for lithium batteries

Abstract

A new cathode material (Cu x Ag y V 2O z ) was investigated as a candidate for lithium batteries. Silver and copper-containing starting materials were examined in this study, using silver oxide, copper oxide, silver metal and copper metal, in addition to silver and copper nitrate. The Ag:Cu:V metal ion ratios were systematically varied to study the effect of this parameter on the electrochemical properties of the material. For Cu x Ag y V 2O z the metal ion ratios were in the range: 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 and 0.2 ≤ y ≤ 0.8, with 5.2 ≤ z ≤ 5.9 for oxygen. The samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and constant resistance discharge of test cells. The experimental capacity of Cu 0.5Ag 0.5V 2O 5.75 (initial open-circuit voltage = +3.8 V versus Li/Li +) discharged to +1.5 V versus Li/Li + was 332 mAh/g, resulting in the formation of Li 3.4Cu 0.5Ag 0.5V 2O 5.75.