Electrochemical lithium insertion into amorphous MoO3·2H2O

Following the route of synthesis of β-MoO3 through soft chemistry methods a new amorphous material with composition MoO3·2H2O has been detected. The hydrated molybdenum oxide showed the capacity for electrochemical lithium insertion. The maximum amount of lithium incorporated in this material (not, vert, similar3.3 Li/Mo) leads to a specific capacity of 490 Ah kg−1. The charge–discharge curve showed a good reversibility in the potential range from 3.2 to 1.1 V versus Li+/Li0 where the cell voltage decreased monotonously as a function of the degree of lithium inserted. The electrochemical features of amorphous MoO3·2H2O suggest that it can be considered as a possible cathode candidate in rechargeable lithium batteries.