LiNb3O8 as a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A novel anode material, LiNb3O8, whose theoretical capacity is 389 mAh/g assuming two-electron transfers (Nb5+ -> Nb3+), was prepared by a solid state reaction. It was found that only 3.8 Li per unit formula can be inserted into the as-prepared micro-sized sample. However, when the sample was ball-milled with acetylene black to form a mixed conducting network, 5.4 Li can be inserted in the same voltage range and 2.8 Li (180 mAh/g) can be reversibly extracted after 50 cycles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.