Abstract: A method of making a composition of the nominal general formula NayKxV3O8, with a unit structure of preferred nominal general formula Na1−xKxV3O8, such structure being able to accept lithium ions. The method as exemplified by the formation of Na1−xKxV3O8, comprises forming a mixture of hydroxides of sodium and potassium and then adding vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) in an amount sufficient to provide a stoichiometric ratio of approximately 1:3 of Na1−xKx to vanadium and preferably heating the mixture while stirring to cause formation of a precipitate product of the formula Na1−xKxV3O8. The new composition preferably contains x greater than or equal to 0.3 and less than or equal to 0.4. Preferred compositions have the nominal general formula Na0.7K0.3V3O8 and Na0.6K0.4V3O8.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide represented by the general formula (I): Lix Mn(2−y) My1 By2 O4 wherein M represents at least one member selected form among Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Ga, and Mg; 0.9≦x≦1.1; and y=y1+y2, wherein 0.002≦y≦0.5, 0≦y1≦0.5, and 0.002≦y2≦0.1 or represented by the general formula (Ia) Lix Mn(2−y) My O4, which is the same as the general formula (I) except that y2 is 0. In formula (Ia) M and x are each as defined above and 0.002≦y≦0.5; and a cathode active material for a lithium ion rechargeable battery comprising the spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide having improved charge-discharge characteristics produce by the above method. The composite oxide thus produce is a novel one improved in cycle characterized, particularly in charge-discharge cycle characterized in a high-temperature (50° C. or above) environment, and hence is very useful form the viewpoint of industry.

Abstract: High energy and high power lithium storage batteries, comprising and anode of lithium or lithium alloy, a non-aqueous electrolytic solution containing a lithium salt in one or more organic solvents or a solid electrolyte consisting of a lithium salt/polymeric material complex, and a cathode based on a lithium-vanadium oxide of nominal stoichiometric formula LiV.sub.3 O.sub.8, which is obtained in the amorphous form by means of a new process of synthesis in aqueous solution. The choice of the amorphous form for the cathode material provides better performance with respect to the corresponding material in the crystalline form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rechargeable current-producing cell comprising:(a) an anode made by an alkali or an earth-alkali metal;(b) a non-aqueous electrolyte solution;(c) a cathode formed by alkali metal salts of chromium dichalcogenides of general formula M'.sub.x M".sub.y CrB.sub.2, wherein M' and M" are metals of group I A of the Periodic Table, B is a chalcogen and x and y have values between zero and one.