Impact of Electrical Conductivity on the Electrochemical Performances of Layered Structure Lithium Trivanadate (LiV3-x M x O8, M= Zn/Co/Fe/Sn/Ti/Zr/Nb/Mo, x = 0.01-0.1) as Cathode Materials for Energy Storage.

Pristine trivanadate (LiV3O8) and doped lithium trivanadate (LiV3-x M x O8, M = Zn/Co/Fe/Sn/Ti/Zr/Nb/Mo, x = 0.01/0.05/0.1 M) compounds were prepared by a simple reflux method in the presence of the polymer, Pluronic P123, as the chelating agent. For comparison, pristine LiV3O8 alone was also prepared in the absence of the chelating agent. The Rietveld-refined X-ray diffraction patterns shows all compounds to exist in the layered monoclinic LiV3O8 phase belonging to the space group of P21/m. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows the particles to exhibit layers of submicron-sized particles. The electrochemical performances of the coin cells were compared at a current density of 30 mA/g in the voltage window of 2-4 V. The cells made with compounds LiV2.99Zr0.01O8 and LiV2.95Sn0.05O8 show a high discharge capacity of 245 ± 5 mA h/g, with an excellent stability of 98% at the end of the 50th cycle. The second cycle discharge capacity of 398 mA h/g was obtained for the compound LiV2.99Fe0.01O8, and its capacity retention was found to be 58% after 50 cycles. The electrochemical performances of the cells were correlated with the electrical properties and the changes in the structural parameters of the compounds.