Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for making lithium mixed metal materials in electrochemical cells. The lithium mixed metal materials comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium. The invention involves the reaction of a metal compound, a phosphate compound, with a reducing agent to reduce the metal and form a metal phosphate. The invention also includes methods of making lithium metal oxides involving reaction of a lithium compound, a metal oxide with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides lithiated molybdenum oxides useful as cathode (positive electrode) active materials in rechargeable batteries, especially in lithium ion rechargeable batteries. In one aspect, the invention provides lithiated molybdenum oxides, some of which can be represented by nominal formulas LixMoO2 where x ranges from 0.1 to 2, and Li4Mo3O8. The crystal structure of the lithiated molybdenum oxides of the invention is characterized as being in a hexagonal space group with unit cell dimensions in a determined range. In a preferred embodiment, the lithiated molybdenum oxides of the invention can be formulated with known materials to provide electrodes for electrochemical cells. The invention also provides rechargeable batteries made by combining one or more such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention provides novel active material represented by the general formula LiaMI1-yMIIyPO4, wherein MI is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Mn, V, Sn, Ti, Cr, and mixtures thereof; MII is selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cd, and a mixture thereof; a is about 1; and 0<y<1, which, upon electrochemical interaction, releases lithium ions, and is capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel active material, wherein MI is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, V, Sn, Ti, Cr, and mixtures thereof. Methods for making the novel active material and methods for using such a material in electrochemical cells are also provided.

Abstract: Sodium ion batteries are based on sodium based active materials selected among compounds of the general formula: AaMb(XY4)cZd, wherein A comprises sodium, M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, Z is OH or halogen, and XY4 represents phosphate or a similar group. The anode of the battery includes a carbon material that is capable of inserting sodium ions. The carbon anode cycles reversibly at a specific capacity greater than 100 mAh/g.

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: Active materials for rechargeable batteries have a general formula

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electrode active materials represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)2Zd, wherein:

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 the compound. In a preferred embodiment, M comprises at least one transition metal selected from Groups 4 to 11 of the Periodic Table. In another preferred embodiment, M comprises M′cM″d, where M′ is at least one transition metal from Groups 4 to 11 of the Periodic Table; and M″ is at least one element from Groups 2, 3, 12, 13, or 14 of the Periodic Table, and c+d=b. Preferably, 0.1≦a≦0.8.

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: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an active material having an alkali metal-containing oligo phosphate-based electrode active material.

Abstract: The invention provides lithiated molybdenum oxides useful as cathode positive electrode) active materials in rechargeable batteries, especially in lithium ion rechargeable batteries. In one aspect, the invention provides lithiated molybdenum oxides, some of which can be represented by nominal formulas LixMoO2 where x ranges from 0.1 to 2, and Li4Mo3O8. The crystal structure of the lithiated molybdenum oxides of the invention is characterized as being in a hexagonal space group with unit cell dimensions in a determined range. In a preferred embodiment, the lithiated molybdenum oxides of the invention can be formulated with known materials to provide electrodes for electrochemical cells. The invention also provides rechargeable batteries made by combining one or more such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an active material having a high proportion of alkali metal per formula unit of 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:

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 general to a method for making an alkali metal hydrogen phosphate of the general formula AxH3−xPO4, wherein A is an alkali metal and 0≦x≦3, prepared by admixing an alkali metal-containing compound, a phosphate-supplying compound, and water, where water is present in the mixture at a level of from about 5% to 25% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electrode active materials represented by the general formula AaMb(XY4)cZd, 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′2y, 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 which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an alkali metal phosphorous compound doped with an element having a valence state greater than that of the alkali metal.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for making lithium mixed metal materials in electrochemical cells. The lithium mixed metal materials comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium. The invention involves the reaction of a metal compound, a phosphate compound, with a reducing agent to reduce the metal and form a metal phosphate. The invention also includes methods of making lithium metal oxides involving reaction of a lithium compound, a metal oxide with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode. The first electrode comprises a phosphorous compound of the nominal general formula Li3E′aE″b(PO4)3, desirably at least one E is a metal; and preferably, Li3M′M″(PO4)3. E′ and E″ are the same or different from one another, where at least one of E′ and E″ has more than one oxidation state.

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.