Novel mixed metal phosphate based materials for battery applications

Silver vanadium oxide (SVO) has been successfully used commercially as the cathode material for lithium based batteries that power implantable medical devices. A feature of the SVO system is the formation of silver nanowires on reduction of the cathode material. In order to exploit this characteristic of SVO to increase conductivity, yet gain the stability of phosphate based materials, we are exploring phosphate based materials with silver ions incorporated as possible next generation cathode materials. Silver vanadium phosphorous oxide was prepared using hydrothermal synthetic approaches. The material was characterized by several methods, including x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Silver vanadium phosphorous oxide based cathodes were fabricated and incorporated into coin cells. Preliminary testing is promising as the material is demonstrating high energy content, high voltage, and high current capability.