Power and temperature controlled microwave synthesis of SVO

Microwave (MW) synthesis is gaining even more importance also in the field of inorganic materials for the advantageous rapidity and energy efficiency of the process. Although in the exploratory phase of the MW-syntheses acceptable reproducibility may be attained by using low-cost domestic ovens, really controlled synthesis conditions can be achieved only with scientific microwave systems with the control of MW irradiation power and temperature of the sample. In the present paper we describe the synthesis of Ag2V4O11 (SVO), starting from V2O5 and Ag2CO3, by using a commercial single-mode MW oven with an automated power control based on temperature feedback. The resulting material, that was structurally and morphologically characterized, displayed very good performance, comparable to the conventional thermally synthesized SVO, when electrochemically tested in battery configuration in view of its use as cathode material in primary lithium batteries for implantable cardioverter/defibrillators (ICDs).