Lithiated MoO₃ nanobelts with greatly improved performance for lithium batteries

Hydrothermally synthesized lithiated Α-MoO₃ nanobelts with greatly improved performance for lithium batteries was presented. X ray diffraction measurement was performed using a D/MAX-III X-ray diffractometer and Fourier Transformed infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra were recorded using the 60-SXB IR interferometer. Batteries were fabricated using a lithium pellet as the negative electrode, 1M solution of LiPF₆ in ethylene carbon/dimethyl carbonate was used as electrolyte and a pellet made of the nanobelts, acetylene black and PTTE in the 10:7:1 ratio as the positive electrode. The lithiated Α-MoO₃ nanobelts exhibited excellent carrying capabilities with a capacity retention rate of 92% after 15 cycles. Transport measurements showed that the conductivity of the lithiated MoO ₃ nanobelts is increased by two orders of magnitude, showing that Li⁺ ions was introduced into the MoO₃ layers during lithiation.