Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a material including at least one member of the Group 14 by thermal degradation of a ternary phase, also known as the Zintl phase, or by reaction therewith an oxidising solvent. The invention also relates to the material containing at least one element of Group 14 that can be obtained by this method, and to the use thereof mainly in the field of electrochemistry, particularly for batteries. The material is more particularly suited for the field of batteries of the alkaline metal and/or alkaline-earth ions type, in particular of the lithium-ion type.

Abstract: The active material is constituted by an alkali metal in the zero valent state which alkali metal is inserted into an insertion compound. The insertion compound receiving the alkali metal has an ordered three-dimensional lattice structure and is constituted by at least one intermetallic compound having polyatomic anionic clusters with atoms chosen from the group constituted by gallium, boron and aluminum, and with structuring counter ions chosen from the group constituted by alkaline earth and alkali ions.