Electrochemical lithium insertion into amorphous MoO3•2H2O

Following the route of synthesis of beta-MoO3 through soft chemistry methods a new amorphous material with composition MoO3.2H(2)O has been detected. The hydrated molybdenum oxide showed the capacity for electrochemical lithium insertion. The maximum amount of lithium incorporated in this material (similar to3.3 Li/Mo) leads to a specific capacity of 490 Ah kg(-1). The charge-discharge curve showed a good reversibility in the potential range from 3.2 to 1.1 V versus Li+/Li-0 where the cell voltage decreased monotonously as a function of the degree of lithium inserted. The electrochemical features of amorphous MoO3.2H(2)O suggest that it can be considered as a possible cathode candidate in rechargeable lithium batteries. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.