Abstract: Process for making a particulate lithiated transition metal oxide comprising the steps of: (a) Providing a particulate transition metal precursor comprising Ni, (b) mixing said precursor with at least one compound of lithium and at least one processing additive selected from NaCl, KCl, CuCl2, B2O3, MoO3, Bi2O3, Na2SO4, and K2SO4 in an amount of from 0.1 to 5% by weight, referring to the entire mixture obtained in step (b), (c) thermally treating the mixture obtained according to step (b) in at least two steps, (c1) at 300 to 500° C. under an atmosphere that may comprise oxygen, (c2) at 650 to 850° C. under an atmosphere of oxygen.

Abstract: Process for making a lithiated oxide, said process comprising the following steps: (a) making a particulate hydroxide, oxide or oxyhydroxide of nickel, and, optionally, at least one of Co and Mn and, by combining an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydrox-ide with an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble salt of nickel and, optionally, a water-soluble salt of Co, Mn, Al, Ti, Zr, W, Mo, Ga, Nb, Ta, or Mg, (b) adding a source of lithium, (c) treating the mixture obtained from step (b) thermally at at least two different temperatures: (c1) at 300 to 500° C. under an atmosphere that may comprise oxygen, (c2) at 500 to 600° C. under an atmosphere of oxygen, wherein the temperature in step (c2) is set to be higher than in step (c1).

Abstract: Process for making an electrode active material wherein said process comprises the following steps: (a) Providing a hydroxide TM(OH)2 or at least one oxide TMO or oxyhydroxide of TM or combination of at least two of the foregoing wherein TM contains at least 99 mol-% Ni and, optionally, in total up to 1 mol-% of at least one metal selected from Ti, Zr, V, Co, Zn, Ba, or Mg, (b) mixing said hydroxide TM(OH)2 or oxide TMO or oxyhydroxide of TM or combination with a source of lithium and an aqueous solution of a compound of Me wherein Me is selected from Al or Ga or a combination of the foregoing and wherein the molar amount of TM corresponds to the sum of Li and Me, (c) removing the water by evaporation, (d) treating the solid residue obtained from step (c) thermally at a temperature in the range of from 500 to 800° C. in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A sodium-ion battery includes an electrode having a crystalline active material represented by formula units that intercalate and/or deintercalate more than two charge carriers during operation of the battery. In some instances, the active material that experiences a volume change of less than 6.0%, 4.0%, or even 2.0% when the active material intercalates more than two charge carriers during operation of the battery.

Abstract: A sodium-ion battery includes an electrode having a crystalline active material represented by formula units that intercalate and/or deintercalate more than two charge carriers during operation of the battery. In some instances, the active material that experiences a volume change of less than 6.0%, 4.0%, or even 2.0% when the active material intercalates more than two charge carriers during operation of the battery.