Abstract: Lithium-based materials and methods of forming the same. In at least one embodiment of a method of forming a lithium-based material of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of combining a first quantity of a first lithium-based component and a second quantity of a second lithium-based component with a titanium-based component to form a mixture, the first lithium-based component having a first melting point and the second lithium-based component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point of the first lithium-based component, and heating the mixture to a first temperature above the first melting point but below the second melting point for a period of time to form a resultant end product.

Abstract: Lithium-based materials and methods of forming the same. In at least one embodiment of a method of forming a lithium-based material of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of combining a first quantity of a first lithium-based component and a second quantity of a second lithium-based component with a titanium-based component to form a mixture, the first lithium-based component having a first melting point and the second lithium-based component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point of the first lithium-based component, and heating the mixture to a first temperature above the first melting point but below the second melting point for a period of time to form a resultant end product.

Abstract: A lithium titanate is formed by mixing lithium carbonate powder or lithium hydroxide powder with titanium oxide followed by preparing a mixed slurry of titanium compound powder and a solution containing lithium, followed by depositing a lithium compound by spray-drying.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying a surface of a lithium electrode, e.g. a negative lithium electrode, for a battery cell. The method comprises the step of applying a thin layer of a carbonaceous material onto the surface of the lithium electrode. The method further comprises the step of applying a pressure to the thin layer and to the surface to promote tight contact between the surface and the thin layer. The method further comprises the step of storing the thin layer and the lithium electrode in an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) gas for a period of time sufficient to significantly lithiate carbon of the carbonaceous material into an intercalation compound having the formula LixC6. A battery cell, e.g. a secondary (rechargeable) battery cell, comprises the lithium electrode made by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An electrode, e.g. a negative electrode, for a lithium-ion battery cell is made from a carbonaceous material, such as a carbon paper, which is lithiated by direct contact with a piece of lithium metal in an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. A method of making the electrode comprises the step of contacting tightly the carbonaceous material with the piece of lithium metal in the atmosphere. The method further comprises the step of storing the carbonaceous material and the piece of lithium metal in the atmosphere, and optionally, in an electrolyte, for a period of time sufficient to completely lithiate the carbonaceous material. A lithium-ion battery cell comprises the negative electrode, a positive electrode comprising oxides of a transition metal, and a non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A lithium titanate has the following formula: Li4Ti5O12?x wherein x is greater than 0. The lithium titanate is formed by providing a mixture of titanium dioxide and a lithium-based component. The mixture is sintered in a gaseous atmosphere comprising a reducing agent to form the lithium titanate having the above formula. A lithium-based cell includes an electrolyte, an anode, and a cathode, with at least one of the anode and the cathode comprising the lithium titanate having the above formula. The lithium titanate is deficient of oxygen, which increases electronic conductivity of the lithium titanate by at least three orders over electronic conductivity of a stoichiometric lithium titanate, while avoiding loss of reversible electric power-generating capacity that typically occurs when doping is used to replace titanium in the lithium titanate with atoms that provide higher electronic conductivity.

Abstract: A lithium titanate is formed by mixing lithium carbonate powder or lithium hydroxide powder with titanium oxide followed by preparing a mixed slurry of titanium compound powder and a solution containing lithium, followed by depositing a lithium compound by spray-drying.

Abstract: A lithium titanate has the following formula: Li4Ti5O12-x wherein x is greater than 0. The lithium titanate is formed by providing a mixture of titanium dioxide and a lithium-based component. The mixture is sintered in a gaseous atmosphere comprising a reducing agent to form the lithium titanate having the above formula. A lithium-based cell includes an electrolyte, an anode, and a cathode, with at least one of the anode and the cathode comprising the lithium titanate having the above formula. The lithium titanate is deficient of oxygen, which increases electronic conductivity of the lithium titanate by at least three orders over electronic conductivity of a stoichiometric lithium titanate, while avoiding loss of reversible electric power-generating capacity that typically occurs when doping is used to replace titanium in the lithium titanate with atoms that provide higher electronic conductivity.

Abstract: A cathode composition for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes a transitional metal oxide and an adsorbate layer disposed on a surface of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide and the adsorbate layer are both electrochemically active. A method of forming cathode materials for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes the steps of providing reagents including at least one elemental chalcogenide or chalcogenic oxide and a transitional metal oxide. The reagents are heated, wherein a cathode composition is formed having a chalcogenic complex adsorbed to a bulk material, the bulk material being a modification of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide is preferably a vanadium oxide.