RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES BASED ON THE TERNARY CHEVREL PHASE AGMO6S8 AS THE CATHODE

In this paper we give evidence from electro-chemical and in situ x-ray studies that AgMo//6S//8 can be electrochemically converted to Mo//6S//8 plus silver metal and then show that AgMo//6S//8 (which can be formed directly from the pure elements) can be substituted for Mo//6S//8 as the cathode material in secondary lithium cells. Cycling data indicates that during such electrochemical conversion the cell capacity is not affected and furthermore these cells have a long cycle life, good discharge rate capability, and no self-discharge. During this study we also report that AgMo//6S//8 can be prepared in a thin film form (as thin as 1 mu m). Such ability combined with the above electrochemical properties, make the electrode AgMo//6S//8 an excellent candidate for new thin film batteries.