Enhanced cycling properties of transition metal molybdates, Li x M2(MoO4)3 {0∈x∈<∈3} [M∈=∈Co,Ni]: A nanocomposite approach for lithium batteries

Nanocomposite electrodes of recently identified polyanion cathode materials comprising Li _x M₂(MoO₄)₃ {0∈ ∈x∈&lt;∈3} [M∈=∈Co, Ni] and nanosized carbon having ~10 nm particle size were found to show remarkable improvement in their discharge capacity compared to the one prepared with acetylene black. The addition of nanosized carbon as a conductive additive offered improved initial discharge capacity of 121 mAh/g between 3.5-2.0 V vs Li/Li. The cause for such an increase could be firmly attributed to the filling up of the grain-grain contact area of the active material, facilitating the intimate grain-grain contacts in the composite structure leading to enhanced capacity delivery. As for the nanocomposite Li _x Co₂(MoO₄)₃, it was found that at least 55% of its first discharge capacity was retained at the end of 20th cycle compared to its analogous counterpart, Li _x Ni ₂(MoO₄)₃. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.