LITHIUM INSERTION INTO A VANADIUM BORON-OXIDE GLASS

A vanadium-boron oxide glass with a V:B ratio of 9:1 has been made by quenching the melt between brass blocks. The vitreous product is blue-black and dissolves in water. The composition was found to be (V//2O//4//. //9//5)//0//. //9(B//2O//3)//0//. //1. The glass resembled, in most respects, pure V//2O//5 glass. The complex impedance spectrum was characteristic of purely electronic conduction. An insertion reaction with n-butyl lithium gave a lithium content of at least one lithium per vanadium atom. The resultant glass was investigated as a possible insertion electrode, with consideration being given to its stability as a glass.