Abstract: Rechargeable batteries based on the ‘rocking chair’ principle and alkali or alkaline earth insertion compounds are disclosed that employ aqueous electrolytes. Batteries of the invention can have energy densities comparable to conventional aqueous batteries. Embodiments of the invention include aqueous lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise a highly disordered, impurity free, hard pre-graphitic carbonaceous host. Carbonaceous insertion compounds can be prepared which have large reversible capacity for lithium yet low irreversible capacity and voltage hysteresis. Such insertion compounds can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable epoxy, phenolic resin, or carbohydrate precursors at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: The loss in delivered capacity as a function of the number of charge/discharge cycles in non-aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries can be reduced by exposing the electrolyte therein to P.sub.2 O.sub.5. The exposure to P.sub.2 O.sub.5 can be accomplished by incorporating P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in either electrode or other locations that contact the electrolyte. Alternately, the electrolyte can be exposed prior to assembling the battery. The invention is particularly suited to certain lithium ion rechargeable battery electrochemistries.

Abstract: Non-aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries are often equipped with internal electrical disconnect devices to protect against overcharge abuse. At the abnormally high voltages of overcharge, these devices can be activated by gasses generated as a result of the electrochemical polymerization of suitable monomer additives incorporated in the electrolyte. Aromatic compounds such as biphenyl are particularly suitable aromatic additives for LiCoO.sub.2 based lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A battery construction is disclosed having improved safety behaviour under conditions of mechanical abuse, in particular crush type abuse, wherein an additional site for internal short circuiting is engineered therein. In certain circumstances, it can be beneficial to initiate the engineered short before other internal shorts occur. Additionally, it may be beneficial for the engineered short to have a lower resistance than the internal resistance of the battery. The invention is particularly suited for application in lithium ion type batteries.

Abstract: Insertion compounds that are not stable in pure water can be prepared by an aqueous electrochemical method. The pH of the electrolyte and/or the concentration of ions of the inserted species must be sufficiently high to provide stability for the product compound. The method is useful for further lithiation of conventional lithium ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: Spinel insertion compounds Li.sub.1+x Mn.sub.2-x-y M.sub.y O.sub.4 wherein M is a transition metal, 0<x< about 0.33, 0.ltoreq.y<about 1, can have relatively low surface area at relatively large values of x when prepared with a novel two step heating method. Li.sub.1 Mn.sub.2-y M.sub.y O.sub.4 is first prepared between a critical temperature, T.sub.c, and about 900.degree. C. Then, a lithium salt is mixed therewith and reacted at a temperature between about 400.degree. C. and T.sub.c. These compounds are suitable for use as a cathode in a lithium battery. The use of LiCl as the lithium salt can provide improved cycle life results in such a battery.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise silicon and oxygen and are characterized by x-ray diffraction patterns that resemble that of amorphous silicon dioxide. The compounds can exhibit a large reversible capacity for lithium and can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable polymer/s containing silicon, oxygen and carbon at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: The viscosity of certain non-aqueous electrolytes comprising a first lithium salt which can gel on the addition of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 can be reduced substantially by incorporating therein a small amount of a suitable viscosity reducing salt. In particular, the viscosity of a LiPF.sub.6 salt based electrolyte can be reduced by orders of magnitude by incorporating a small amount of LiBF.sub.4 therein. Such electrolytes are suitable for use in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Insertion compounds having the formula Li.sub.x+y M.sub.z Mn.sub.2-y-z O.sub.4 wherein the crystal structure is spinel-like, M is a transition metal, 0.ltoreq.x<1, 0.ltoreq.y<0.33, and 0<z< about 1, can reversibly insert significant amounts of lithium at potentials greater than about 4.5 volts versus Li/Li.sup.+. In particular, M can be Ni or Cr. The reversible amount of lithium at such voltages can be greater for greater values of z. Such insertion compounds are suitable cathode materials for high voltage lithium batteries.

Abstract: Carbonaceous compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise a pre-graphitic carbonaceous host having organized and disorganized regions and wherein atoms of other elements are incorporated in the host without changing the structure of the organized regions. A carbonaceous insertion compound with large reversible capacity for lithium can be prepared using elements capable of alloying with lithium, such as Si, as the incorporated atoms. These insertion compounds are suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: Insertion compounds that are not stable in pure water can be prepared by an aqueous electrochemical method. The pH of the electrolyte and/or the concentration of ions of the inserted species must be sufficiently high to provide stability for the product compound. The method is useful for further lithiation of conventional lithium ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: Carbonaceous insertion compounds and methods for preparation are described wherein the compounds comprise a pre-graphitic carbonaceous host and atoms of an element capable of alloying with alkali metal atoms, the alloying atoms being incorporated predominantly as monodispersed atoms in the host. A carbonaceous insertion compound with large reversible capacity for lithium can be prepared if the alloying atoms incorporated are Si. Such insertion compounds can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of suitable polymers containing silicon and carbon at an appropriate temperature. These insertion compounds may be suitable for use as high capacity anodes in lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: High voltage lithium batteries can be made using lithium transition metal oxides having an inverse spinel structure as a cathode material wherein lithium atoms occupy up to half of the 16d sites, oxygen atoms occupy the 32e sites, and transition metal atoms occupy the 8a sites and about half of the 16d sites in said inverse spinel structure. In particular, these inverse spinel compounds can be suitable for use in lithium ion batteries. Along with high operating voltage, such batteries can exhibit reasonable capacity, great capability and reversibility.

Abstract: A battery using carbonaceous materials with a graphite or disordered graphite structure wherein boron atoms are substituted for carbon atoms in the structure. The electrochemical potential of the carbonaceous materials is shifted as a result of such substitution, and the electrochemical capacity is increased. Both effects are desirable for anode materials in lithium ion type batteries.

Abstract: A simple method is disclosed for preparing LiPF.sub.6 based electrolytes for use in lithium non-aqueous batteries. LiPF.sub.6 is synthesized in a mixture of solvents employed in the electrolyte itself. Using the invention method, residual reactants and by-products of the reaction are easily removed to a required level for practical battery applications while the LiPF.sub.6 remains in solution. The method is suitable for preparing electrolytes for lithium ion batteries wherein solvents such as diethylcarbonate, ethylene carbonate, and propylene carbonate are employed.

Abstract: A novel battery construction which incorporates a disconnect safety device which is hydraulically activated by an increase in solid volume upon abusive overcharge of the battery to disconnect the cathode or anode. A rechargeable battery which comprises: (a) a Li.sub.x MO.sub.2 cathode wherein x, is equal to or less than 1.1, and M is Ni, Co, Mn or combinations thereof; (b) a carbonaceous anode; (c) an electrolyte of one or more lithium salts dissolved in one or more non-aqueous organic solvents; and (d) an internal disconnect device which activates by hydraulic means on overcharge.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the reversible capacity of lithium transition metal oxide materials for use as cathodes in non-aqueous lithium batteries. The method involves reduction of oxide materials of the form Li.sub.x M.sub.y O.sub.z, wherein M represents transition metals whereby oxygen is removed while still maintaining the original phase of the material. Use of the method of the invention is particularly useful for oxide materials synthesized at low temperatures and where M is Mn.

Abstract: Hydrides of lithiated nickel dioxide are disclosed, prepared by providing a substantially homogeneous dry intermediate mixture of a starting material containing a nickel compound selected from nickel oxide, nickel hydroxide and mixtures thereof, and optionally including one or more oxides or hydroxides of a transition metal selected from cobalt, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese and vanadium, together with about a 25% stoichiometric excess of lithium hydroxide. The mixture is heat-treated at a temperature above about 600.degree. C. in an atmosphere having a partial pressure of water vapor greater than about two torr. Electrochemical cells are also disclosed, incorporating the disclosed hydrides as a cathode-active material.

Abstract: Greater energy densities can be obtained in aqueous rechargeable batteries based on the `rocking chair` principle by the use of certain polymer insertion compounds as an electrode material. Aqueous lithium ion batteries using poly(carbon disulfide) polymer as an anode have energy densities comparable to nickel metal hydride batteries.