Electrochemical behavior of Li/LiV₃O₈ secondary cells

Li/LiV₃O₈ secondary cells with Li-foil and Li-powder anodes were fabricated, and their electrical properties were compared. Using the powder anode, a cell with an initial discharge capacity of 260 mAh g^-1 that could be operated for over 100 cycles was obtained. The porous Li-powder electrode was safely synthesized by pressing an emulsion droplet onto an SUS mesh. A threefold increase in the electrical conductivity of the LiV₃O₈ cathode was achieved by the addition of carbon using a vibration pot mill. Using the powder anode resulted in 80% capacity retention at the 100^th cycle, while that using the foil electrode was 46%; the 1. 0 Crate/ 0. 1 C-rate capacity ratio also increased from 44% to 60%. A cell employing the LiV₃O₈-carbon composite cathode showed better electrical performance, a capacity retention of 90% after 50 cycles, and an increase in rate capacity ratio. The crystal structure and morphology of the LiV₃O₈-C composite were investigated by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.