Abstract: Silicon-containing composite particles, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of porous particles comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the D50 particle diameter of the porous particles from 0.5 to 200 ?m; the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores is from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; and the PD50 pore diameter is no more than 30 nm; c (b) combining a charge of the porous particles with a charge of a silicon-containing precursor in a batch pressure reactor, wherein the charge of porous particles has a volume of at least 20 cm3 per litre of reactor volume (cm3/LRV), and wherein the charge of the silicon-containing precursor comprises at least 2 g of silicon per litre of reactor volume (g/LRV); and (c) heating the reactor to a temperature effective to cause deposition of silicon in the pores of the porous particles, thereby providing the silicon-containing composite particles.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to electroactive materials and a process for the preparation thereof. The electroactive particles comprise a comprise a porous particle framework, wherein the total pore volume of pores having pore diameter in the range from 3.5 to 100 nm is in the range from 0.3 to 2.4 cm3 per gram of the porous particle framework. The pores of the porous particle are at least partially occupied by a multilayer coating that is disposed on the internal pore surfaces of the porous particle framework. The multilayer coating comprises at least a first electroactive material layer, a second electroactive material layer, and a first interlayer material disposed between the first and second electroactive material layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate electroactive materials consisting of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous conductive particle framework including micropores and/or mesopores having a total volume of at least 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; (b) an electroactive material disposed within the porous conductive particle framework; and (c) a lithium-ion permeable filler penetrating the pores of the porous conductive particle framework and disposed intermediate the nanoscale silicon domains and the exterior of the composite particles.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing composite particles with a carbon coating and the resulting core-shell particulate material. The process comprises subjecting a plurality of precursor composite particles to a heat treatment in contact with a pyrolytic carbon precursor such that an outer shell of a pyrolytic conductive carbon material is formed on the precursor composite particles, wherein the heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of no more than 700° C.