Rechargeable lithium-molybdenum oxysulfide batteries

The use of novel molybdenum chalcogenides as secondary Li battery cathodes was introduced by D.M. Pasquariello et al. (1989) and by K.M. Abraham et al. (1989). The first compound of this type. MoOS₂, was prepared by thermal decomposition of (NH₄ )₂ MoOS₂S₂ in argon at 300°C. The authors report here the performance of cathode materials prepared from the same precursor at different temperatures. The mid-discharge potential of these materials ranged from 1.2 V to 1.9 V. with quasi-theoretical specific energies (based on first-discharge capacities) of 290 to 680 Wh/kg. Heterometal oxysulfides were prepared in which 75% of the metal content was Mo, with the remaining 25% either V or Cr. Mid-discharge potential for the V-containing materials was 1.7 V, while it was 1.8 V for one prepared with Cr. Quasi-theoretical specific energies were ~440 to 500 Wh/kg for the V-containing compounds, and 765 Wh/kg for the one containing Cr