Abstract: The current invention relates to the preparation of an improved cathode active material for non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell. In particular, the cathode active material comprised ?-phase silver vanadium oxide prepared by using silver- and vanadium-containing starting materials in a stoichiometric molar proportion to give a Ag:V ratio of about 1:2. The reactants are homogenized and then added to an aqueous solution followed by heating in a pressurized vessel. The resulting ?-phase SVO possesses a higher surface area than ?-phase SVO produced by other prior art techniques. Consequently, the ?-phase SVO material provides an advantage in greater discharge capacity in pulse dischargeable cells.