Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Experimental results for a number of oxide host materials as electrodes in lithium batteries are compared in order to obtain a better understanding of the factors influencing the emf-composition relationships. These factors are divided into two main groups: Those that are consequences of the structure of the host lattice, and those who follow from the chemistry of the host material. Series of materials with the same structure, but different chemical composition (spinels and MO2(B)) are compared, as well as series of materials with the same chemical composition, LixV2O5, but different structure. These data show that the potential level is mainly determined by the host chemistry, although destabilisation of the host can also give a significant contribution. The host structure will determine the width of the composition interval as well as the inflexions on the emf-curve. The possibility for tailoring the emf by using mixtures of transition metals in the host lattice is discussed.