Abstract: An anode active material and a lithium battery employing the same are provided. In one embodiment of the anode active material, a —(CH2CH2O)— repeating unit is bonded to the surface of metal particles that contain metals that can be alloyed with lithium. The repeating unit prevents reactions between the metal particles and the electrolyte solution. Also, due to its elasticity, the repeating unit absorbs part of the volume expansion of the metal particles. The repeating unit also prevents the metal particles from condensing, thereby enhancing dispersion properties. Accordingly, the inventive anode active material has high capacity and excellent capacity retention during repeated charging and discharging, thereby providing a lithium battery with a long cycle life.

Abstract: An anode active material comprises metal core particles, metal nano wires formed on the metal core particles, pores between the metal core particles and the metal nano wires, and a carbon-based coating layer formed on a surface of the metal core particles and metal nano wires. In the anode active material according to the present invention, the metal core particles and metal nano wires are combined to form a single body, and a carbon-based coating layer is formed on the surface of the metal nano wires and metal core particles. Thus, volume changes in the pulverized metal core particles can be effectively buffered during charging and discharging, and the metal core particles are electrically connected through the metal nano wires. As a result, volume changes in the anode active material and degradation of the electrode can be prevented, thereby providing excellent initial charge/discharge efficiency and enhanced charge/discharge capacity.

Abstract: An anode including: an anode active material; a first binder coating layer formed on the anode active material; a second binder coating layer formed on the first binder coating layer; and a collector, wherein the first binder coating layer has an elasticity higher than the second binder layer and the second binder coating layer is adapted to combine the anode active material with the collector. In the anode, the first binder coating layer that has the relatively high elasticity on the anode active material can tolerate a change in volume of the anode active material. Therefore, a lithium battery that uses the anode has improved cyclic properties and a relatively long lifespan.

Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution is provided which includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent including a first solvent having high permittivity and a second solvent having a low boiling point, and a phosphine oxide compound The phosphine oxide compound imparts flame resistance and good charge/discharge properties, thereby producing a lithium battery that is highly stable and reliable and that has good charge/discharge efficiency.

Abstract: Composite cathode active materials having a large diameter active material and a small diameter active material are provided. The ratio of the average particle diameter of the large diameter active material to the average particle diameter of the small diameter active material ranges from about 6:1 to about 100:1. Mixing the large and small diameter active materials in a proper weight ratio improves packing density Additionally, including highly stable materials and highly conductive materials in the composite cathode active materials improves volume density, discharge capacity and high rate discharge capacity.

Abstract: An anode active material including a metal core and a coating layer formed on a surface of the metal core is provided. The coating layer includes a conductive metal material. The coating layer covering the metal core is carbon-based and includes a conductive metal material. The anode active material has good electron conductivity and elasticity, thereby enhancing charge/discharge capacity and reducing the stress caused by expansion of the carbon-based coating layer and the metal core during charge/discharge cycles. Direct contact between the metal core and the electrolyte solution is remarkably reduced. In addition, anodes and lithium batteries including the anode active material exhibit excellent charge/discharge characteristics, such as discharge capacity and initial charge/discharge efficiency.

Abstract: Composite cathode active materials comprising a composite oxide and an acid treated with an organic solvent are provided. The composite cathode active materials are prepared by treating mixtures of nickel-based composite oxides and organic acids with organic solvents. The active materials suppress gelation of the electrode slurries for a long period of time, even when the active materials are mixed with fluorine-based polymers, by decreasing the basicity of the slurries and the amount of lithium present on the surfaces of the active materials. As a result, electrode slurries having high stability can be prepared. Cathodes and lithium batteries comprising the slurries have excellent charge-discharge characteristics, including high capacity and excellent high rate discharge characteristics.

Abstract: An anode active material comprises graphite core particles, and a first coating layer and a second coating layer formed on the surface of the graphite core particles. The first coating layer comprises silicon microparticles and the second coating layer comprises carbon fiber.

Abstract: A cathode active material for a lithium rechargeable battery is provided. The cathode active material is used for a lithium rechargeable battery containing a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The cathode active material is composed of 0.5% by weight or less carbonate ion (CO32?) plus bicarbonate ion (HCO3?) and 0.1% by weight or less hydroxyl ion (OH?). The swelling of lithium battery containing the cathode active material is substantially suppressed when is placed at 60° C. or more.

Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution containing an organic solvent and a compound that contains an anionic polymerization monomer with an added component capable of being chelated with a lithium metal cation. A lithium battery may utilize the organic electrolytic solution. The lithium battery may have improved stability to reductive decomposition, reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, and improved charging/discharging efficiency and lifespan. Moreover, reliability of the battery may be improved because the battery, after formation and standard charging at room temperature, may not swell beyond a predetermined thickness. Even when the lithium battery swells significantly at a high temperature, the capacity of the lithium battery may be high enough for practical applications due to its recovery capacity.