Ultrafast synthesis of Li1 + αV3O8 gel precursors for lithium battery applications

A versatile route has been developed to synthesize the Li1 + αV3O8 gel precursor 50 times faster than the standard path without heating by using H2O2 and V2O5 and lithium salts as precursors. Upon heat treatment it leads to stoechiometric Li1.1V3O8 with an electrochemical behavior similar to the one observed from the standard material. The role of the pH and the nature of the counter ion on the structural type and the morphology of the condensed Li1 + αV3O8,nH2O compound have been investigated. pH close to the zero charge point (≈ 2) lead to intercalated LixV2O5,nH2O type gels whereas at pH 4 condensation drives to hewettite like structures.