Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode having a electrode active material, a second electrode which is a counter electrode to the first electrode, and an electrolyte. The positive electrode active material is represented by the general formula AaMbXc[O(3c+1)?d,Ne].

Abstract: Methods for producing an electrode active material precursor, comprising; a) producing a mixture comprising particles of lithium hydrogen phosphate, having a first average particle size, and a metal hydroxide, having a second average particle size; and b) grinding said mixture in a jet mill for a period of time suitable to produce a generally homogeneous mixture of particles having a third average size smaller than said first average size. The precursor may be used as a starting material for making electrode active materials for use in a battery, comprising lithium, a transition metal, and phosphate or a similar anion.

Abstract: Methods for producing an electrode active material precursor, comprising: a) producing a mixture comprising particles of lithium hydrogen phosphate, having a first average particle size, and a metal hydroxide, having a second average particle size; and b) grinding said mixture in a jet mill for a period of time suitable to produce a generally homogeneous mixture of particles having a third average size smaller than said first average size. The precursor may be used as a starting material for making electrode active materials for use in a battery, comprising lithium, a transition metal, and phosphate or a similar anion.

Abstract: A method for carrying out solid state reactions under reducing conditions is provided. Solid state reactants include at least one inorganic metal compound and a source of reducing carbon. The reaction may be carried out in a reducing atmosphere in the presence of reducing carbon. Reducing carbon may be supplied by elemental carbon, by an organic material, or by mixtures. The organic material is one that can form decomposition products containing carbon in a form capable of acting as a reductant. The reaction proceeds without significant covalent incorporation of organic material into the reaction product. In a preferred embodiment, the solid state reactants also include an alkali metal compound. The products of the method find use in lithium ion batteries as cathode active materials. Preferred active materials include lithium-transition metal phosphates and lithium-transition metal oxides.

Abstract: A method for carrying out solid state reactions under reducing conditions is provided. Solid state reactants include at least one inorganic metal compound and a source of reducing carbon. The reaction may be carried out in a reducing atmosphere in the presence of reducing carbon. Reducing carbon may be supplied by elemental carbon, by an organic material, or by mixtures. The organic material is one that can form decomposition products containing carbon in a form capable of acting as a reductant. The reaction proceeds without significant covalent incorporation of organic material into the reaction product. In a preferred embodiment, the solid state reactants also include an alkali metal compound. The products of the method find use in lithium ion batteries as cathode active materials. Preferred active materials include lithium-transition metal phosphates and lithium-transition metal oxides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel battery having a first electrode comprising an electrode active material represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)2Zd, a second electrode which is a counter-electrode to the first electrode; and an electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention provides new and novel lithium-metal-fluorophosphates which, upon electrochemical interaction, release lithium ions, and are capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel lithium-metal-fluorophosphates. The lithium-metal-fluorophosphates comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polyanion-based electrode active material for use in a secondary or rechargeable electrochemical cell, wherein the electrode active material is represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)2Zd.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the preparation of an “optimized” VPO4 phase or V—P—O/C precursor. The VPO4 precursor is an amorphous or nanocrystalline powder. The V—P—O/C precursor is amorphous in nature and contains finely divided and dispersed carbon. Throughout the specification it is understood that the VPO4 precursor and the V—P—O/C precursor materials can be used interchangeably to produce the final vanadium phosphates, with the V—P—O/C precursor material being the preferred precursor. The precursors can subsequently be used to make vanadium based electroactive materials and use of such precursor materials offers significant advantages over other processes known for preparing vanadium phosphate compounds.

Abstract: A battery containing a first electrode and a second electrode, and an electrolyte for transferring ionic charge-carriers there between, wherein the first electrode contains a first electrode active material represented by the formula A2eM4kM5mM6nM7oOg, and at least one second electrode active material selected from the group consisting of active materials represented by the formula A1aM1b(XY4)cZd, active materials represented by the formula A3hMniO4, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electrode active materials represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)2Zd, wherein: (a) A is one or more alkali metals, and 0<a?8; (b) M is at least one metal capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, and 1?b?3; (c) XY4 is selected from the group consisting of X?O4?xY?x, X?O4?yY?2?y, X?S4, and a mixture thereof, where X? is P, As, Sb, Si, Ge, S, and mixtures thereof; X? is P, As, Sb, Si, Ge, and mixtures thereof, Y? is halogen, 0?x<3, 0<y<4, and 0<c?3; and (d) Z is OH, a halogen, or mixtures thereof, and 0<d?6.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell having a first electrode having an electrode active material containing at least one electrode active material charge-carrier, a second electrode, and an electrolyte containing at least one electrolyte charge-carrier. In the electrochemical cell's nascent state, the at least one electrolyte charge carrier differs from the at least one electrode active material charge-carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides novel lithium-mixed metal materials which, upon electrochemical interaction, release lithium ions, and are capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel lithium-mixed metal materials. Methods for making the novel lithium-mixed metal materials and methods for using such lithium-mixed metal materials in electrochemical cells are also provided. The lithium-mixed metal materials comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium. Preferred materials are lithium-mixed metal phosphates which contain lithium and two other metals besides lithium.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel polyanion-based electrode active material for use in a secondary or rechargeable electrochemical cell having a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte.

Abstract: Active materials of the invention contain at least one alkali metal and at least one other metal capable of being oxidized to a higher oxidation state. Preferred other metals are accordingly selected from the group consisting of transition metals (defined as Groups 4-11 of the periodic table), as well as certain other non-transition metals such as tin, bismuth, and lead. The active materials may be synthesized in single step reactions or in multi-step reactions. In at least one of the steps of the synthesis reaction, reducing carbon is used as a starting material. In one aspect, the reducing carbon is provided by elemental carbon, preferably in particulate form such as graphites, amorphous carbon, carbon blacks and the like. In another aspect, reducing carbon may also be provided by an organic precursor material, or by a mixture of elemental carbon and organic precursor material.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, a transition metal, and a phosphate or similar moiety, of the formula: Aa+xMbP1-xSixO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a<1.0 and 0<x<1; (b) M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, where 0<b<2; and wherein M, a, b, and x are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from: (a) materials of the formula A1aM1b(XY4)cZd; and (b) materials of the formula A2eM2fOg; and wherein (i) A1, A2, and A3 are Li, Na, or K; (ii) M1 and M3 comprise a transition metal; (iv) XY4 a phosphate or similar moiety; and (v) Z is OH, or halogen.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, a transition metal, and a phosphate or similar moiety, of the formula: Aa+xMbP1?xSixO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a<1.0 and 0?x?1; (b) M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, where 0<b?2; and wherein M, a, b, and x are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.

Abstract: Active materials of the invention contain at least one alkali metal and at least one other metal capable of being oxidized to a higher oxidation state. Preferred other metals are accordingly selected from the group consisting of transition metals (defined as Groups 4–11 of the periodic table), as well as certain other non-transition metals such as tin, bismuth, and lead. The active materials may be synthesized in single step reactions or in multi-step reactions. In at least one of the steps of the synthesis reaction, reducing carbon is used as a starting material. In one aspect, the reducing carbon is provided by elemental carbon, preferably in particulate form such as graphites, amorphous carbon, carbon blacks and the like. In another aspect, reducing carbon may also be provided by an organic precursor material, or by a mixture of elemental carbon and organic precursor material.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising two or more groups of particles having differing chemical compositions, wherein each group of particles comprises a material selected from: (a) materials of the formula A1aM1b(XY4)cZd; and (b) materials of the formula A2eM2fOg; and wherein (i) A1, A2, and A3 are Li, Na, or K; (ii) M1 and M3 comprise a transition metal; (iv) XY4 a phosphate or similar moiety; and (v) Z is OH, or halogen. In a preferred embodiment, A2eM3fOg is A3hMniO4 having an inner and an outer region, wherein the inner region comprises a cubic spinel manganese oxide, and the outer region comprises a manganese oxide enriched in Mn+4 relative to the inner region. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions also comprise a basic compound.