Binary to quaternary Mo-based phosphate glasses cathodes Li-batteries: Influence of Mo substitution by Fe and Mn

• Mo-phosphate-based glasses as positive electrode materials for Li-Batteries. • Design of experiments (DOE) approach allowed ternary diagrams performance drawing. • DOE highlights the effects of Mo, Fe and Mn substitution. • High discharge capacities (> 385 mAh/g): far above commercial cathode materials. • Second cycle performance is still limited by large capacity loss (≈50%) To correlate glass chemical compositions with electrochemical performances, seven Mo-phosphate glasses (with/without Fe and/or Mn) were prepared using a Design of Experiment approach and characterized (XRD, EDS, XRF). Evaluated as cathode active materials in Li-metal coin cells, their electrochemical performances were measured by galvanostatic cycling at C/50 rate. The glasses show high first discharge capacities, but energy densities (420 to 705 Wh/kg at the material level) were limited by low voltage. Significant capacities losses (≈50%) occured between the first and second discharges, affecting subsequent performances. Ternary diagrams for first cycles discharge capacities and voltage are presented.