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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
The insertion of alkali metals in W18O49 is governed by size of the cations. In this way, lithium insertion ( rVI = 0.76 Å ) seems to be optimal and a maximum of 23.5 lithium per formula can be reached before the irreversible reduction of W18O49. On the other hand, when sodium is inserted ( rVI = 1.02 Å ) an order of magnitude decrease in the amount inserted is observed and a maximum of only 1.8 sodium per formula can be intercalated. On the basis of the different phases that we have previously detected by electrochemical methods in the Li / W18O49 and Na / W18O49 systems, we have started a structural characterization by electron diffraction techniques. These studies have revealed some lithium and sodium ordering states for certain compositions; this can be explained taking into account the different types of tunnels present in W18O49.