Li3Cr(MoO4)(3): a NASICON-type high specific capacity cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Molybdate cathode materials have attracted a lot of attention due to their rich crystal structure, stable skeleton structure and moderate electronic conductivity. In this paper, a new NASICON-type material Li3Cr(MoO4)(3) has been studied for the first time as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries with high specific capacity. Comprehensive studies by X-ray diffraction, UV-vis-IR diffuse reflection, bond valence sum maps calculation, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the Four-Probe method show that Li3Cr(MoO4)(3) possesses a narrow band gap, high electronic conductivity and fast lithium ion transport channels, and delivers a high specific capacity (200 mA h g(-1)) and rate performance. Electrochemical mechanism studies indicate that both the Mo6+/5+ and Cr3+/Cr2+ reactions contribute to the high specific capacity.