Abstract: A positive active material includes a core including a lithiated compound, and at least two surface-treatment layers formed on the core. The surface-treatment layer includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a coating-element-included hydroxide, a coating-element-included oxyhydroxide, a coating-element-included oxycarbonate, and a coating-element-included hydroxycarbonate. The coating element is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Co, K, Na, Ca, Si, Ti, Sn, V, Ge, Ga, B, and As.

Abstract: A positive active material composition for a rechargeable lithium battery includes at least one lithiated compound, and at least one additive compound selected from the group consisting of a thermal-absorbent element-included hydroxide, a thermal-absorbent element-included oxyhydroxide, a thermal-absorbent element-included oxycarbonate, and a thermal-absorbent element-included hydroxycarbonate.

Abstract: Provided are a positive active material and a method of preparing for the same. The positive active material comprises a core and a surface-treatment layer on the core. The core includes at least one lithiated compound, and the surface-treatment layer includes at least one coating element-included oxide. The lithiated compound includes a secondary particle of which average particle size is larger than or equal to 1 &mgr;m and less than 10 &mgr;m. The secondary particle is formed of an agglomeration of small primary particles of an average size of 1 to 3 &mgr;m in diameter. The positive active material is prepared by coating the lithiated compound with an organic solution or an aqueous solution including a coating-element source and heat-treating the coated compound.

Abstract: A method of preparing for a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. In this method, a lithiated compound to be coated and an organic solution or aqueous solution including a coating-element source are putted into a mixer, the mixture is continuously stirred to mix the contents thoroughly, and a hot dry gas is introduced into the mixer to evaporate the solvent while the powder is continuously agitated. The resulting dry coated powdery compound is heat-treated at an elevated temperature to obtain an oxide coating on the lithiated compound.

Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The positive active material includes a core having a lithiated compound and at least two surface-treatment layers on the core, and each of the two surface-treatment layers includes at least one coating element. Alternatively, the positive active material includes at least one surface-treatment layer on the core, wherein the surface treatment at least comprises at least two coating element-included oxides.