Electrochemical characteristics of lithium insertion in several 3D metal tungstates (MWO4, M=Mn, Co, Ni and Cu) prepared by aqueous reactions

In this work we present a study of the synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of lithium insertion into several tungstates of general formula MWO4 (M=Mn, Co, Ni and Cu), prepared by aqueous salt metathesis reaction. From those tried, only MnWO4 was obtained from solution as a partially crystalline compound while the remaining tungstates were obtained as amorphous hydrated materials which crystallized between 400 and 500 °C. The electrochemical study showed that none of these materials are good hosts for insertion reactions because of the irreversibility of the process although they could be used as electrodes in primary cells.