Improved silver vanadium oxide cathode material for high discharge rate lithium cells

A method for synthesizing a mixture of epsilon -SVO and gamma -SVO by a two step raw materials mixing process, is described. gamma -SVO is the preferred SVO in terms of electrochemical performance, such as reduced Rdc growth and reduced or eliminated voltage delay. On the other hand, epsilon -SVO has slightly higher volumetric capacity than gamma -SVO. AgVO3 is an undesirable component in Li/SVO cell cathodes because it causes increased Rdc growth and larger voltage delay in comparison to the pure product materials. According to the present invention, a mixture of epsilon -SVO (0-100%) + gamma -SVO (100-0%) as a cathode active material in lithium cells is preferred.