Synthesis and electrochemical properties of LiV3O8 via an improved sol–gel process

LiV3O8 cathode material was synthesized via a hydrothermal improved sol–gel process using LiOH, NH4VO3 and oxalic acid as raw materials. The thermal decomposition process of the as-prepared LiV3O8 precursor was investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized LiV3O8 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the galvanostatic charge–discharge test. The effects of synthesis conditions on phases, structure and electrochemical performance of the LiV3O8 samples were particularly discussed. Result shows that pure LiV3O8 sample can be obtained at 300 °C, which is much lower than that of normal citric assisted sol–gel method. The sample synthesized at 350 °C exhibits the best electrochemical performance, which can present an initial discharge capacity of 301.1 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g and maintain 271.6 mA/g (about 90.2% of its initial value) after 10 cycles.