Abstract: The invention provides a new route for the synthesis of carbon-coated powders having the olivine or NASICON structure, which form promising classes of active products for the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries. Carbon-coating of the powder particles is necessary to achieve good performances because of the rather poor electronic conductivity of said structures. For the preparation of coated LiFePO4, sources of Li, Fe and phosphate are dissolved in an aqueous solution together with a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Upon water evaporation, polyesterification occurs while a mixed precipitate is formed containing Li, Fe and phosphate. The resin-encapsulated mixture is then heat treated at 700° C. in a reducing atmosphere. This results in the production of a fine powder consisting of an olivine LiFePO4 phase, coated with conductive carbon.

Abstract: The electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium battery cells comprising crystalline or amorphous FeIII iron phosphate active positive electrode compounds is improved by compound hydration and intimate ball-milled incorporation of electrically conductive carbon.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture and use of phosphates of transition metals are described as positive electrodes for secondary lithium batteries, including a process for the production of LiMPO4 with controlled size and morphology, M being FexCoyNizMnw, where 0≦x≦1,0≦y≦1, 0≦w≦1, and x+y+z+w=1. According to an exemplary embodiment, a process is described for the manufacture of LiFePO4 including the steps of providing an equimolar aqueous solution of Li1+, Fe3+ and PO43−, evaporating water from the solution to produce a solid mixture, decomposing the solid mixture at a temperature of below 500° C. to form a pure homogeneous Li and Fe phosphate precursor, and annealing the precursor at a temperature of less than 800° C. in a reducing atmosphere to produce the LiFePO4 powder.

Abstract: The electrochemical performance of rechargeable lithium battery cells comprising crystalline or amorphous FeIII iron phosphate active positive electrode compounds is improved by compound hydration and intimate ball-milled incorporation of electrically conductive carbon.

Abstract: A structural system for accurately reproducible in situ x-ray studies of operating rechargeable electrochemical battery cell electrode components comprises an hermetically sealed cell component enclosure incorporating an x-ray transmissive window member of beryllium or the like. A research embodiment of the system comprises means for rapidly and consistently interchanging electrode compositions for operative comparison and evaluation, while a laminated cell system embodiment enables accurate testing of electrode components in commercial configurations such as unitary polymeric Li-ion battery cells.