Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-oxygen or lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous activated positive electrode comprising lithium-rich electrocatalytic materials suitable for use in lithium-oxygen (air) cells and batteries. The activated positive electrode is produced by activating a precursor electrode formed from a material comprising one or more metal oxide compounds of general formula xLi2O.yMOz, in which 0<x?4, 0<y?1, and 0<z?3, in which M is typically, but not exclusively, a transition metal, excluding Li2MnO3 as a sole metal oxide compound in the precursor electrode. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention extends to batteries containing such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3.(1?z)LiM?O2}.(1?x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0<x<1; 0?y?0.5; and 0<z<1, comprised of layered zLi2MnO3.(1?z)LiM?O2 and spinel LiMn2?yMyO4 components, physically mixed or blended with one another or separated from one another in a compartmentalized electrode, in which M is one or more metal ions, and in which M? is selected from one or more first-row transition metal ions, The electrode is activated by removing lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: A lithium-metal-oxide positive electrode having a layered or spinel structure for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell and battery is disclosed comprising electrode particles that are protected at the surface from undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss or dissolution by one or more lithium-metal-polyanionic compounds, such as a lithium-metal-phosphate or a lithium-metal-silicate material that can act as a solid electrolyte at or above the operating potential of the lithium-metal-oxide electrode. The surface protection significantly enhances the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of the lithium-metal-oxide electrodes, particularly when charged to high potentials.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3.(1?z)LiM?O2}.(1?x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0<x<1; 0?y?0.5; and 0<z<1, comprised of layered zLi2MnO3.(1?z)LiM?O2 and spinel LiMn2?yMyO4 components, physically mixed or blended with one another or separated from one another in a compartmentalized electrode, in which M is one or more metal ions, and in which M? is selected from one or more first-row transition metal ions, The electrode is activated by removing lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: An uncycled preconditioned electrode for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell including a lithium metal oxide having the formula xLi2?yHyO.xM?O2.(1?x)Li1?zHzMO2 in which 0<x<1, 0<y<1 and 0<z<1, M is anon-lithium metal ion with an average trivalent oxidation state selected from two or more of the first row transition metals or lighter metal elements in the periodic table, and M? is one or more ions with an average tetravalent oxidation state selected from the first and second row transition metal elements and Sn. The xLi2?yHy.xM?O2.(1?x)Li1?zHzMO2 material is prepared by preconditioning a precursor lithium metal oxide (i.e., xLi2M?O3.(1?x)LiMO2) with a proton-containing medium with a pH<7.0 containing an inorganic acid. Methods of preparing the electrodes are disclosed, as are electrochemical cells and batteries containing the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Multi-component intermetallic negative electrodes prepared by electrochemical deposition for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries are disclosed. More specifically, the invention relates to composite intermetallic electrodes comprising two or more compounds containing metallic or metaloid_elements, at least one element of which can react with lithium to form binary, ternary, quaternary or higher order compounds, these compounds being in combination with one or more other metals that are essentially inactive toward lithium and act predominantly, but not necessarily exclusively, to the electronic conductivity of, and as current collection agent for, the electrode. The invention relates more specifically to negative electrode materials that provide an operating potential between 0.05 and 2.0 V vs. metallic lithium.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0.5<x<1.0 such that the spinel component constitutes less than 50 mole % of the precursor electrode and 0?y<1 in which the Li2MnO3 and LiMn2-yMyO4 components have layered and spinel-type structures, respectively, and in which M is one or more metal cations. The electrode is activated by removing lithia, or lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3,5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3.(1-z)LiM?O2}.(1-x)LiMn2?yMyO4 for 0<x<1; 0?y?0.5; and 0<z<1, comprised of layered zLi2MnO3.(1-z)LiM?O2 and spinel LiMn2?yMyO4 components, physically mixed or blended with one another or separated from one another in a compartmentalized electrode, in which M is one or more metal ions, and in which M? is selected from one or more first-row transition metal ions, The electrode is activated by removing lithium and lithia, from the precursor. A cell and battery are also disclosed incorporating the disclosed positive electrode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: This invention provides lithium-rich compounds as precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries. The precursors comprise a Li2O-containing compound as one component, and a second charged or partially-charged component, selected preferably from a metal oxide, a lithium-metal-oxide, a metal phosphate or metal sulfate compound. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned electrode precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention also extends to methods for synthesizing and activating the precursor electrodes and to cells and batteries containing such electrodes.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n- spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n- refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrodes for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to silver manganese vanadium oxide positive electrodes for such cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes may contain substituents or dopants to improve the electrochemical properties of the electrodes, cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes optionally contain silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrodes and to improve the power capability of the cells or batteries. The invention also includes a method for preparing the electrodes by decomposition of a permanganate salt, such as AgMnO4, KMnO4, NaMnO4 or LiMnO4 in the presence of a compound or compounds containing silver and/or vanadium.

Abstract: A lithium metal oxide positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell is disclosed. The cell is prepared in its initial discharged state and has a general formula xLiMO2.(1?x)Li2M?O3 in which 0<x<1, and where M is one or more ion with an average trivalent oxidation state and with at least one ion being Mn or Ni, and where M? is one or more ion with an average tetravalent oxidation state. Complete cells or batteries are disclosed with anode, cathode and electrolyte as are batteries of several cells connected in parallel or series or both.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n? spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n? refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3,5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positive electrode for an electrochemical cell or battery, and to an electrochemical cell or battery; the invention relates more specifically to a positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell or battery when the electrode is used therein. The positive electrode includes a composite metal oxide containing AgV3O8 as one component and one or more other components consisting of LiV3O8, Ag2V4O11, MnO2, CFx, AgF or Ag2O to increase the energy density of the cell, optionally in the presence of silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrode and to improve the power capability of the cell or battery.

Abstract: This invention relates to intermetallic negative electrode compounds for non-aqueous, electrochemical lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to one or more electrode components or compositions, one of which contains the basic structural unit of a MM?3 intermetallic compound, in which M and M? are comprised of one or more metals. The MM?3 intermetallic electrode compounds can be mixed, blended or integrated with one or more other intermetallic compounds, such as isostructural M3M? compounds. The electrodes are of particular use in rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries in numerous applications such as portable electronic devices, medical devices, space, aeronautical and defense-related devices and in transportation applications such as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.

Abstract: Lithium metal oxide compounds of nominal formula Li2MO2, in which M represents two or more positively charged metal ions, selected predominantly and preferably from the first row of transition metals are disclosed herein. The Li2MO2 compounds have a layered-type structure, which can be used as positive electrodes for lithium electrochemical cells, or as a precursor for the in-situ electrochemical fabrication of LiMO2 electrodes. The Li2MO2 compounds of the invention may have additional functions in lithium cells, for example, as end-of-discharge indicators, or as negative electrodes for lithium cells.