Formation of Li1+nV3O8/β-Li1/3V2O5/C nanocomposites by carboreduction and resulting improvements of the capacity retention Original Research Article

The formation of the xerogel precursor of Li1+αV3O8 within a suspension of carbon black allows the synthesis of Li1+α+xV3O8/β-Li1/3V2O5/C nanocomposites upon heating under argon at 350 °C for a few minutes. The intimate contact of the active material with carbon particles ensures a limitation of the particle growth, a reduction–insertion of the pristine Li1+αV3O8 compound along with the formation of β-Li1/3V2O5 and an efficient electronic transport to the active materials. The electrochemical performance of these nanocomposites is significantly better than those of standard Li1+αV3O8.