Preparation of a mixed metal oxide cathode active material by sequential decomposition and combination reactions

A mixed metal oxide, such as silver vanadium oxide, prepared by sequential decomposition and combination reactions is described. In the case of silver vanadium oxide, the product material is produced from a decomposable salt of silver and vanadium oxide first heated above the decomposition temperature of the silver salt followed by cooling and then a second heating above the decomposition temperature. The product silver vanadium oxide material is coupled with a lithium anode and activated with a nonaqueous electrolyte to provide an improved high energy density electrochemical cell having increased pulse voltages and a reduction in voltage delay.