Abstract: The present invention relates to pulverulent compounds of the formula LiaNibM1cM2d(O)2(SO4)x, a process for preparation thereof and the use thereof as active electrode material in.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium-containing composite oxide containing nickel with an oxidation state of 2.0 to 2.5 and manganese with an oxidation state of 3.5 to 4.0, the oxidation state determined by the shifts of energy at which absorption maximum is observed in the X-ray absorption near-K-edge structures, and to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same, the positive electrode active material being characterized in having a high capacity, a long storage life and excellent cycle life.

Abstract: A method for extracting ions from an active material for use in a battery electrode includes mixing the active material and an activating compound to form a mixture. The mixture is annealed such that an amount of ions is extracted from the active material, an amount of oxygen is liberated from the active material, and an activated active material is formed. Embodiments of the invention include the activated active material, the electrode, and the primary and secondary batteries formed from such activated active materials.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for multi-transition metal-containing cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Processes encompass providing a composition which can be a mixture of molecular precursor compounds having the formulas [LiM(x+)(OR)1+x] and [Li2M(x+)(OR)2+x]. The metal atoms, M, can be Ni, V, Co, Mn, or Fe, and the —OR groups can be alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkenyloxy, siloxy, phosphinate, phosphonate, and phosphate. The compositions can be converted and annealed to provide cathode materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, which includes mixing a lithium compound, metallic Ni or a compound thereof, and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr and Fe or a compound thereof; and calcining the obtained raw material mixture under an atmosphere of the concentration of carbon dioxide of from 1% by volume to 15% by volume at 630° C. or higher.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for lithium batteries includes secondary particles having primary particles and an amorphous material. A method of manufacturing the positive electrode active material includes mixing a lithium composite oxide and a lithium salt, and heat treating the mixture. A positive electrode includes the positive electrode active material, and a lithium battery includes the positive electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process of making a Ni-based lithium transition metal oxide cathode active materials used in lithium ion secondary batteries. The cathode active materials are substantially free of Li2CO3 impurity and soluble bases.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to unique coatings for use with energy storage particles, such as lithium oxide energy storage materials. The invention provides unique coatings for particles, unique particle/coating combinations, and unique methods for making coatings and/or coated particles. In one aspect of the invention, a particle is formed having a core and a coating. The particle may comprise a core having a material such as LiFePO4, and a coating. The particle may be formed, in some embodiments, by using a non-stoichiometric combination of salts or other precursors, and sintering the same to form particles. LiFePO4 may form as the core of the particle, while the remaining materials may form a coating around the LiFePO4. Typically, the LiFePO4 is crystalline while the coating is generally amorphous, and in some instances, the coating may prevent large crystals of LiFePO4 from forming.

Abstract: A process of producing positive electrode active material particles for a battery, comprising a step of providing a slurry comprising resin particles, a cationic surfactant and/or a polyvinyl alcohol derivative, lithium complex oxide particles, and a polar solvent; removing the polar solvent from the slurry to give a composition; and firing the composition and at the same time, removing the resin particles from the composition, wherein the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium salt, the polyvinyl alcohol derivative is a polyvinyl alcohol into which a quaternary ammonium salt group has been introduced or which has been substituted by a quaternary ammonium salt group, and the resin particles have an average particle size of 0.1 to 20 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder compound of the formula NiaMbOx(OH)y, wherein M represents Co and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Zn, Al, Sr, Mg, or Ca and mixtures thereof, or M represents Co Mn and Fe, wherein 0.6?a<1.0, 0<b?0.4, 0<x?0.60, and 1.4?y<2, wherein the powder compound has a particle size distribution d50 value, measured in accordance with ASTM B 822, of <5 ?m, and wherein a ratio of tap density, measured in accordance with ASTM B 527, to the particle size distribution d50 value is at least 0.4 g/cm3. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the compound and its uses.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a lithium mixed transition metal oxide, comprising subjecting Li2CO3 and a mixed transition metal precursor to a solid-state reaction under an oxygen-deficient atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of 10 to 50% to thereby prepare a powdered lithium mixed transition metal oxide having a composition represented by Formula I of LixMyO2 wherein M, x and y are as defined in the specification. Therefore, since the high-Ni lithium mixed transition metal oxide having a given composition can be prepared by a simple solid-state reaction in air, using a raw material that is cheap and easy to handle, the present invention enables industrial-scale production of the lithium mixed transition metal oxide with significantly decreased production costs and high production efficiency.

Abstract: A current-voltage non-linear resistor (10) comprises a sintered body (20) of a mixture whose chief constituent is zinc oxide and including as auxiliary constituents at least bismuth (Bi), antimony (Sb), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni). Also, the average grain size of the mixture is no more than 0.4 ?m; and the average grain size of the zinc oxide grains in the sintered body (20) is no more than 7.5 ?m and the standard deviation based on the grain size distribution of zinc oxide grains in the sintered body (20) is no more than 15% of the average grain size of the zinc oxide grains.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material which is lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, wherein the transition metal is a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is more than +3, and lithium transition metal oxide satisfies the Equation m(Ni)?m(Mn) (in which m (Ni) and m (Mn) represent an molar number of manganese and nickel, respectively). The lithium transition metal oxide has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, as a cathode active material for lithium secondary battery, wherein the transition metal includes a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is more than +3, and the lithium transition metal oxide satisfies Equations 1 and 2 below: 1.0<m(Ni)/m(Mn)??(1) m(Ni2+)/m(Mn4+)<1??(2) wherein m(Ni)/m(Mn) represents a molar ratio of nickel to manganese and m(Ni2+)/m(Mn4+) represents a molar ratio of Ni2+ to Mn4+. The cathode active material of the present invention has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, in contrast to conventional cathode active materials, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: Active material particles are provided that exhibit performance suitable for increasing the output of a lithium secondary battery and little deterioration due to charge-discharge cycling. The active material particles provided by the present invention have a hollow structure having secondary particles including an aggregate of a plurality of primary particles of a lithium transition metal oxide, and a hollow portion formed inside the secondary particles, and through holes that penetrates to the hollow portion from the outside are formed in the secondary particles. BET specific surface area of the active material particles is 0.5 to 1.9 m2/g.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery, in particular, including a lithium transition metal oxide with a layered crystalline structure in which the transition metal includes a transition metal mixture of Ni, Mn and Co, and an average oxidation number of all transition metals other than lithium is more than +3, and specific conditions represented by the following formulae (1) and (2), 1.1<m(Ni)/m(Mn)<1.5 and 0.4<m(Ni2+)/m(Mn4+)<1, are satisfied. The inventive cathode active material has a more uniform and stable layered structure by controlling the oxidation number of transition metals contained in a transition metal oxide layer to form the layered structure, compared to conventional substances. Accordingly, the active material exhibits improved overall electrochemical characteristics including battery capacity and, in particular, excellent high rate charge-discharge features.

Abstract: Provided is spinel-type lithium transition metal oxide (LMO) used as a positive electrode active material for lithium battery, said LMO being capable of simultaneously achieving all output characteristics (rate characteristics), high temperature cycle life characteristics, and rapid charging characteristics. The disclosed is spinel-type lithium transition metal oxide including, besides Li and Mn, one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ti, Ni, Co, and Fe, and having crystallite size of between 200 nm and 1000 nm and strain of 0.0900 or less. Because the crystallite size is markedly large, oxygen deficiency is markedly little, and the structure is strong, when the LMO is used as a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, all output characteristics (rate characteristics), high temperature cycle life characteristics, and rapid charging characteristics can be achieved simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for producing materials having the formula Li[Ni0.5Mn1.5]O4-? wherein ??O, the materials obtainable by such method, and cathodes and batteries comprising such materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by General Formula (1): LixMyMe1?yO2+???(1) where M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Mn, Me represents a metal element that is different from M, 0.95?x?1.10 and 0.1?y?1. A lithium compound and a compound that contains M and Me are baked. The thus-obtained baked product is washed with a washing solution that contains one or more water-soluble polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N?-dimethylimidazolidinone (DMI) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

Abstract: Provided is a transition metal precursor comprising a composite transition metal compound represented by Formula I, as a transition metal precursor used in the preparation of a lithium-transition metal composite oxide: M(OH1?x)2??(1) wherein M is two or more selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, Cr and transition metals of period 2 in the Periodic Table of the Elements; and 0<x<0.5.

Abstract: Positive electrode active materials are described that have a very high specific discharge capacity upon cycling at room temperature and at a moderate discharge rate. Some materials of interest have the formula Li1+xNi?Mn?CO?O2, where x ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.25, ? ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4, ? ranges from about 0.4 to about 0.65, and ? ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.3. The materials can be coated with a metal fluoride to improve the performance of the materials especially upon cycling. Also, the coated materials can exhibit a very significant decrease in the irreversible capacity lose upon the first charge and discharge of the cell. Methods for producing these materials include, for example, a co-precipitation approach involving metal hydroxides and sol-gel approaches.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: Process for preparing a lithium-containing mixed oxide powder, wherein a) a stream of a solution containing at least one lithium compound and at least one metal compound of one or more mixed oxide components in the required stoichiometric ratio is atomized by means of an atomizer gas to give an aerosol having an average droplet size of less than 100 ?m, b) the aerosol is reacted in a reaction space by means of a flame obtained from a mixture of fuel gas and air, with the total amount of oxygen being sufficient for at least complete reaction of the fuel gas and of the metal compounds, c) the reaction stream is cooled and d) the solid product is subsequently separated off from the reaction stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds having a hexagonal layered structure that is substantially free from cubic-spinel like phases, a process for preparing the same and the use thereof.

Abstract: A thermistor based on a composition having the general formula (I): Re2-x-yCraMnbMcEyOz wherein Re is a rare earth metal or a mixture of two or more rare earth metals, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, magnesium and mixtures thereof, E is a metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, barium and mixtures thereof, x is the sum of a+b+c and is a number between 0.1 and 1, and the relative ratio of the molar fractions a, b and c is in an area bounded by points A, B, C and D in a ternary diagram, wherein point A is, if y<0.006, at (Cr=0.00, Mn=0.93+10?y, M=0.07?10?y), and, if y?0.006, at (Cr=0?00, Mn=0.99, M=0.01), point B is, if y<0.006, at (Cr=0.83, Mn=0.10+10?y, M=0.07?10?y), and, if y?0.006, at (Cr=0.83, Mn=0.16, M=0.01), point C is at (Cr=0.50, Mn=0.10, M=0.40) and point D is at (Cr=0.00, Mn=0.51, M=0.49), y is a number between 0 and 0.5?x, and z is a number between 2.5 and 3.5.

Abstract: Active material particles are provided that exhibit performance suitable for increasing the output of a lithium secondary battery and little deterioration due to charge-discharge cycling. The active material particles provided by the present invention have a hollow structure having secondary particles including an aggregate of a plurality of primary particles of a lithium transition metal oxide, and a hollow portion formed inside the secondary particles, and through holes that penetrates to the hollow portion from the outside are formed in the secondary particles. BET specific surface area of the active material particles is 0.5 to 1.9 m2/g.

Abstract: A lithium-transition metal complex compound has an nth order hierarchical structure in which n type structures represented by at least one unit of ath order units in a range of 1×10?(a+5) m to 10×10?(a+5) m exist in a complex form, wherein n is a natural number that is 2 or greater, and a is a natural number in a range of 1 to 5. The lithium-transition metal complex may be prepared by heat-treating a mixture including a lithium source, a transition metal source, and solvent in contact with a natural material having a hierarchical structure. A lithium battery includes an electrode including the lithium-transition metal complex compound having the nth order hierarchical structure. The lithium battery can have improved rapid charging characteristics, high power characteristics, and cycle characteristics.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium alkali transition metal oxide for use as a positive electrode material for lithium secondary batteries by a precipitation method. The positive electrode material is a lithium alkali transition metal composite oxide and is prepared by mixing a solid state mixed with alkali and transition metal carbonate and a lithium source. The mixture is thermally treated to obtain a small amount of alkali metal residual in the lithium transition metal composite oxide cathode material.

Abstract: A lamellar-type oxide, in particular used as active material of a positive electrode for a lithium battery and to a method for synthesizing such an oxide. The oxides are used as active materials for the positive electrode of a lithium battery. With such oxides, the specific capacity of a lithium battery is improved and stabilized on cycling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lithium manganate particles having a primary particle diameter of 1 to 8 ?m and forming substantially single-phase particles, which have a composition represented by the following chemical formula: Li1+xMn2-x-yY1yO4+Y2 in which Y1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mg, Fe, Al, Cr and Ti; Y2 is P and is present in an amount of 0.01 to 0.6 mol % based on Mn; and x and y satisfy 0.03?x?0.15 and 0.05?y?0.20, respectively, and which lithium manganate particles have a specific surface area of the lithium manganate particles of 0.3 to 0.9 m2/g (as measured by BET method); and have an average particle diameter (D50) of the lithium manganate particles of 3 to 10 ?m. A positive electrode active substance of a lithium ion secondary battery using the lithium manganate particles of the present invention has a high output and is excellent in high-temperature stability.

Abstract: A method for producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, which includes mixing a lithium compound, metallic Ni or a compound thereof, and one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr and Fe or a compound thereof; and calcining the obtained raw material mixture under an atmosphere of the concentration of carbon dioxide of from 1% by volume to 15% by volume at 630° C. or higher.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte that has excellent cycle characteristics and output characteristics. Also disclosed is a positive electrode active material for a secondary battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte that includes a powder of a volume resistivity of 20 ?·cm or more and 100 ?·cm or less when said powder has a bulk density of 3 g/cm3. The use of the lithium nickel composite oxide as a positive electrode active material can provide a secondary battery with a non-aqueous electrolyte that has excellent cycle characteristics and output characteristics.

Abstract: A method for sintering lithium contained electrode material includes: depositing a mixture of a particle like lithium compound and a substance M in a metal container, where M is a chemical element selected from a group consisting of iron (Fe), phosphor (P), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), and carbon (C), or an oxide or compound thereof; subjecting the mixture deposited in the metal container to heat treatment by heating the metal container in two phases of which temperature ranges for heating are respectively 300-700° C. and 500-900° C.; and grinding the heat-treated mixture to obtain a powder like lithium contained electrode material. According to the method of the present invention, in the process of sintering and synthesis, it is not necessary to supply an external (or a great amount of) protective gas, so that substantial reduction of processing cost and time is realized.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material which is lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, wherein the transition metal is a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is +3 or higher, and lithium transition metal oxide satisfies the Equation m(Ni)?m(Mn) (in which m (Ni) and m (Mn) represent an molar number of manganese and nickel, respectively). The lithium transition metal oxide has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication method for an electrode active material, and a lithium battery comprising an electrode active material fabricated therefrom. The fabrication method for an electrode active material comprises preparing an aqueous solution by dissolving a precursor that can simultaneously undergo positive ion substitution and surface-reforming processes in water; mixing and dissolving raw materials for an electrode active material with a composition ratio for a final electrode active material in the aqueous solution, thereby preparing a mixed solution; removing a solvent from the mixed solution, thereby forming a solid dry substance; thermal- processing the solid dry substance; and crushing the thermal-processed solid dry substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium-containing metal composite oxide comprising paramagnetic and diamagnetic metals, which satisfies any one of the following conditions: (a) the ratio of intensity between a main peak of 0±10 ppm (I0ppm) and a main peak of 240±140 ppm (I240ppm), (I0ppm/I240ppm), is less than 0.117·Z wherein z is the ratio of moles of the diamagnetic metal to moles of lithium; (b) the ratio of line width between the main peak of 0±10 ppm (I0ppm) and the main peak of 240±140 ppm (I240ppm), (W240ppm/W0ppm), is less than 21.45; and (c) both the conditions (a) and (b). The peaks of the lithium-containing metal composite oxide are obtained according to the 7Li—NMR measurement conditions and means disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are lithium-containing compounds and methods of utilizing the same. The disclosed compounds may be used to deposit alkali metal-containing layers using vapor deposition methods such as chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition. In certain embodiments, the lithium-containing compounds include a ligand and at least one aliphatic group as substituents selected to have greater degrees of freedom than the usual substituent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium-containing composite oxide for a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety, and excellent durability for charge and discharge cycles and charge and discharge rate property, and its production method. The lithium-containing composite oxide is represented by the general formula LipNxMyOzFa (where N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than Co, Mn and Ni, 0.9?p?1.2, 0.965?x<2.00, 0<y?0.035, 1.9?z?4.2, and 0?a?0.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cathode active material for a lithium rechargeable battery, including: selecting a first metal compound from a group consisting of a halide, a phosphate, a hydrogen phosphate and a sulfate of Mg or Al; selecting a second metal compound from a group consisting of an oxide, a hydroxide and a carbonate of Mg or Al; combining the first metal compound and the second metal compound to obtain a metal compound, the metal compound containing either Mg or Al atoms; mixing a lithium compound, a transition metal compound and the metal compound to obtain a mixture; and sintering the mixture.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, as a cathode active material for lithium secondary battery, wherein the transition metal includes a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is more than +3, and the lithium transition metal oxide satisfies Equations 1 and 2 below: 1.0<m(Ni)/m(Mn)??(1) m(Ni2+)/m(Mn4+)<1??(2) wherein m(Ni)/m(Mn) represents a molar ratio of nickel to manganese and m (Ni2+)/m (Mn4+) represents a molar ratio of Ni2+ to Mn4+. The cathode active material of the present invention has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, in contrast to conventional cathode active materials, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material which is lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, wherein the transition metal is a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is more than +3, and lithium transition metal oxide satisfies the Equation m(Ni)?m(Mn) (in which m (Ni) and m (Mn) represent an molar number of manganese and nickel, respectively). The lithium transition metal oxide has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide positive electrode material in which a discharge rate characteristic and battery capacity are hardly deteriorated in the environment of low temperature of ?30° C., its manufacturing method and a lithium secondary battery using the positive electrode material. The invention is characterized by the positive electrode material in which plural primary particles are flocculated and a secondary particle is formed, and the touch length of the primary particles is equivalent to 10 to 70% of the length of the whole periphery on the section of the touched primary particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clean method for preparing layered double hydroxides (LDHs), in which hydroxides of different metals are used as starting materials for production of LDHs by atom-economical reactions. The atom efficiency of the reaction is 100% in each case because all the atoms of the reactants are converted into the target product since only M2+(OH)2, M3+(OH)3, and CO2 or HnAn? are used, without any NaOH or other materials. Since there is no by-product, filtration or washing process is unnecessary. The consequent reduction in water consumption is also beneficial to the environment.

Abstract: Process for preparing a mixed metal oxide powder, in which oxidizable starting materials are evaporated and oxidized, the reaction mixture is cooled after the reaction and the pulverulent solids are removed from gaseous substances, wherein as starting materials, at least one pulverulent metal and at least one metal compound, the metal and the metal component of the metal compound being different and the proportion of metal being at least 80% by weight based on the sum of metal and metal component from metal compound, together with one or more combustion gases, are fed to an evaporation zone of a reactor, where metal and metal compound are evaporated completely under nonoxidizing conditions, subsequently, the mixture flowing out of the evaporation zone is reacted in the oxidation zone of this reactor with a stream of a supplied oxygen-containing gas whose oxygen content is at least sufficient to oxidize the starting materials and combustion gases completely.

Abstract: A process for producing a complex oxide containing the valuable metal and an alkali (earth) metal salt, which comprising co-milling a mixture of the valuable metal oxide and/or a precursor thereof, or a mixture of a substance containing the valuable metal oxide and/or a precursor thereof, with an alkali (earth) metal salt to a particle size of the valuable metal oxide or a substance containing the oxide, of 10 ?m or less, and heating the co-milled product to a temperature of at least 200° C. so as to induce a solid-phase reaction of the valuable metal oxide with an alkali (earth) metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powderous electrode active material of lithium transition metal oxide LiaMbO2, wherein 0.9<a<1.1, 0.9<b<1.1 and M is dominantly transition metal chosen from Mn, Co and Nickel, having particles with a distribution of sizes, where the composition M varies with the size of the particles, and a preparation method thereof. The present invention also relates to an electrochemical cell, particularly rechargeable lithium battery, using the powderous electrode active material.

Abstract: A sintered lithium complex oxide characterized in that the sintered lithium complex oxide is constituted by sintering fine particles of a lithium complex oxide, the peak pore size giving the maximum differential pore volume is 0.80-5.00 ?m, the total pore volume is 0.10-2.00 mL/g, the average particle size is not less than the above-specified peak pore size but not more than 20 ?m, there is a sub-peak giving a differential pore volume not less than 10% of the maximum differential pore volume on the smaller pore size side with respect to the above-specified peak pore size, the pore size corresponding to the sub-peak is more than 0.50 ?m but not more than 2.00 ?m, the BET specific surface area of the sintered lithium complex oxide is 1.0-10.0 m2/g, and the half width of the maximum peak among X-ray diffraction peaks in an X-ray diffraction measurement is 0.12-0.30 deg.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: A method is provided for the synthesis of a mesoporous lithium transition metal compound, the method comprising the steps of (i) reacting a lithium salt with one or more transition metal salts in the presence of a surfactant, the surfactant being present in an amount sufficient to form a liquid crystal phase in the reaction mixture (ii) heating the reaction mixture so as to form a sol-gel and (iii) removing the surfactant to leave a mesoporous product. The mesoporous product can be an oxide, a phosphate, a borate or a silicate and optionally, an additional phosphate, borate or silicate reagent can be added at step (i). The reaction mixture can comprise an optional chelating agent and preferably, the reaction conditions at steps (i) and (ii) are controlled so as to prevent destabilisation of the liquid crystal phase. The invention is particularly suitable for producing mesoporous lithium cobalt oxide and lithium iron phosphate.