Abstract: A method of producing a particulate lithium metal oxide cathode material comprising the steps of providing an organic acid, providing a lithium compound, and providing a metal compound. The organic acid, the lithium compound, and the metal compound are mixed to form a mixture. The organic acid is melted to form a liquid organic acid, if the organic acid is provided as a solid. The mixture, including the liquid organic acid, is cCalcined in an atmosphere containing oxygen to form a lithium metal oxide. The lithium metal oxide is cooled and sized to produce the particulate lithium metal oxide having a predetermined average particle size.

Abstract: A process for solution-based formation of a nanostructured, carbon-coated, inorganic composite includes selecting a supply of inorganic material in a solution, selecting a supply of a carbon-containing solution, and synthesizing the composite by causing the inorganic material to react in the carbon-containing solution. The synthesized composite may be conductive-carbon-coated, and may be for electrochemical applications such as battery cathodes and anodes. The selecting step may involve varying relative amounts of polar fluid, microblender and water components to synthesize a crystalline inorganic composite. There may be a step of retaining and reusing the supply of carbon-containing solution that remains after the synthesizing, and testing the supply of carbon-containing solution that remains to determine whether it can be used again.