HRTEM and neutron diffraction study of LixMo5O17: From the ribbon (x=5) structure to the rock salt (x=12) structure

► Electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction structure determination ► We have explained the reversible topotactic transformation between an ordered rock salt structure and a ribbon structure ► We show that the electrochemical behavior of the LixMo5O17 system is based on two sorts of Li+ sites ► The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure.