Synthesis and characterization of MnV2O6 as a high capacity anode material for a lithium secondary battery

Crystalline MnV2O6 has been synthesized by a polymer gellation method and investigated for its physical and electrochemical properties as an anode material for Li secondary battery. The physical characterization was carried out by thermal analysis (TG/DTA), FT–IR and SEM. Structural analysis by powder XRD and spectroscopic analysis by XANES showed that the synthesized compound is MnV2O6 with brannerite structure. The Li insertion of MnV2O6 anode during the first charge showed a large capacity of about 1400 mAh/g, accompanied by irreversible structural transformation into amorphous material. Despite its structural transformation to amorphous during the first lithiation, subsequent cycles showed a capacity of about 800 mAh/g. This paper presents the advantage of this material over existing anode material and discusses the mechanism underlying the electrode process.