Abstract: The invention relates to a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte and a positive electrode in which the positive electrode structure comprises a lithium cobalt manganese oxide of the composition Li2CoyMn2−yO4 where 0<y<0.6. The lithium cobalt manganese oxide of the above formula can be the only active compound or can be used together with one or more other rechargeable compounds. The lithium cobalt manganese oxide of the above formula may be in air and moisture insensitive tetragonal form and provides additional active lithium to compensate for capacity losses in lithium ion cells and lithium-alloy cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte and a positive electrode, characterized in that the positive electrode structure thereof comprises (a) one or more materials selected from the group consisting of LiMn2O4, LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiNixCo1−xO2 where 0<x<1, preferably LiMn2O4 and (b) one or more materials selected from the group consisting of orthorhombic LiMnO2, monoclinic LiMnO2 (m-LiMnO2), hexagonal LiFeO2 (h-LiFeO2), &agr;-NaMnO2, &bgr;-NaMnO2, &agr;-NaFeO2, and lithium/sodium compounds of the formula LixNayM(II)O1+1/2(x+y), where x≧0, y≧0 and x+y≦2, and where M(II) is a transition metal in oxidation state +2, selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni and Fe, preferably LixNayMn(II)O1+1/2(x+y), where x≧0, y≧0 and x+y≦2, more preferably LiNa0.6MnO1.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a new cathode material comprised of a lithiated zirconium, titanium or hafnium oxide. The oxide is of the formula Li.sub.2 MXO.sub.4, where M is preferably a transition metal such as Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, V, Cu, or Cr, and X is zirconium, titanium or hafnium. The cathode material provides a useful composite cathode when combined with a polymeric binder and carbon.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells having a current collector that includes a redox polymer film affords overdischarge protection. The redox polymers can reversibly insert anions and/or cations during oxidation and/or reduction thereby rendering the polymers conductive relatively to their neutral state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell or battery which has a non-metallic negative electrode (anode). That is, no solid metal, free metal, active material is used in the cell. Rather than the conventional solid lithium metal anode, the active material of the new electrode comprises substituted carbon active material. The substituted carbon is carbonaceous material arranged in a disordered or ordered graphite structure, where atoms of carbon have been substituted in such structure by at least one other element. The invention also provides carbonaceous materials which are non-graphitic and considered amorphous, non-crystalline, highly disordered, which also have substituted therein elements other than carbon. The invention also provides a process for making such substituted carbons and for preparing an anode containing the substituted carbon.

Abstract: In a preferred method, a lithium compound is reacted with a manganese compound in the presence of gaseous ammonia produced by the decomposition of an ammonium compound. In the preferred method, the decomposition of the ammonium compound is initiated before the reaction occurs to form the lithium manganese oxide product spinel. It is also possible to have the decomposition initiated at about the same time as the reaction. It is possible to have the decomposition continue while the reaction to form the spinel occurs. The reaction to form the spinel occurs at an elevated temperature to provide a product of the desired nominal general formula, having a quantity of lithium corresponding to more than 1 atomic units of lithium for every 2 atomic units of manganese. This lithium-rich product, having greater than a 1:1 ratio of Mn.sup.+3 to Mn.sup.+4 is made possible by the presence of the ammonia decomposition gas.

Abstract: A method for reducing capacity fading of an LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 spinel electrode active material comprising substituting a minor amount of Z for Mn in the LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 active material, where Z is a metal element having a +4 (IV) valence state and is characterized by an ability to form tetravalent chlorides. The Z substituted LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 active material is further characterized by a lesser rate of capacity loss with cycling as compared to LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 active material.

Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of alkali metal that is available during charge/discharge of an electrochemical cell that employs carbon based intercalation anodes is provided. The method comprises of prealkaliation of the carbon anode. By subjecting the anode carbon to the prealkaliation process prior to packaging the electrochemical cell, substantially all the alkali metal (e.g., lithium) which is originally present in the cathode will be available for migration between the anode and cathode during charge/discharge.

Abstract: Increasing the percentage of the 3R phase present in graphite reduces the first capacity loss of anodes employing the so modified graphite. Conversion of 2H phase graphite to 3R phase graphite can be achieved by grinding graphite. Non-aqueous solid electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing intercalation based carbon anodes comprising graphite with high percentage of 3R. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the first cycle capacity loss of only about 10%.

Abstract: There is provided an electrochemical cell which has a non-metal negative electrode (anode on discharge). The anode is not a solid metal, is not metallic, and has no free metal. Rather, an amount of lithium ions are incorporated into the anode carbon-polymer structure. The anode of the invention has no more than a minor amount of lithium in a precharged or fully discharged state. The anode is used with lithium-containing cathodes (positive electrodes), preferably of the intercalation type. The anode of the invention is of a material which includes carbon, an electrolyte, and one or more constituents selected from the group consisting of metal and semi-metal elements and compounds and alloys thereof, other than lithium and its alloys. Such constituents are further characterized by an ability to react electrochemically with lithium by accepting and releasing lithium. Preferred metals and semi-metals include aluminum, boron and silicon, and compounds and alloys thereof, such as AlSi.

Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of alkali metal that is available during charge/discharge of an electrochemical cell that employs carbon based intercalation anodes is provided. The method comprises of prealkaliation of the carbon anode. By subjecting the anode carbon to the prealkaliation process prior to packaging the electrochemical cell, substantially all the alkali metal (e.g., lithium) which is originally present in the cathode will be available for migration between the anode and cathode during charge/discharge.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode active material of the nominal general formula LiV.sub.y O.sub.z where y is greater than 0 and up to about 3 and z is greater than 0 and up to about 8, comprises a series of steps. In the first step, lithium hydroxide is dispersed in an alcohol of the general formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 OH. The alcohol and the hydroxide are each in an amount sufficient to provide a lithium alkoxide of the general formula LiOC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1. Next, progressive amounts of an oxide of vanadium having the general formula V.sub.2 O.sub.5 (vanadium pentoxide) are added while stirring the mixture. The amount of vanadium pentoxide in the mixture is sufficient to provide about 3 moles of vanadium for each mole of lithium present in the alkoxide. Then, the mixture is heated to an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to change the color of the oxide of vanadium and provide a solid precipitate.

Abstract: In an electrochemical lithium cell having a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte separator there is provided a positive electrode current collector which comprises a redox active conductive polymer.

Abstract: A process of making lithium battery electrode active material having fine particles of vanadium oxide (V.sub.x O.sub.y) or lithium-vanadium oxide (Li.sub.z V.sub.x O.sub.y) intimately mixed with fine particles of carbon. The process includes forming a wet solution of a vanadium oxide precursor and carbon, and then decomposing the precursor/carbon mixture at an elevated temperature or by atomization in a controlled atmosphere. Alternatively, fine particles of vanadium oxide are formed from precursor halogen compounds by atomization in oxygen.

Abstract: A lithium battery has a positive electrode with an active material comprising a manganese oxide compound represented by at least one of the nominal general formulas A.sub.x Z.sub.y Mn.sub.a O.sub.b and A.sub.x Mn.sub.a O.sub.b, where A and Z are each metals or semi-metals, A has a valance of +2, Z has a valence of +1, and where x, y, a and b are each greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: In a preferred battery, a negative electrode contains metallic lithium, a positive electrode contains transition metal chalcogen compound having a reversible lithium insertion ability, a solid electrolyte is disposed between the electrodes, and a protective layer is disposed between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode. The protective layer contains polyvinyl pyridine (PVP) or derivatives thereof and iodine complexed with the PVP or derivatives thereof for reducing passivation of the lithium-containing negative electrode. Preferably the polyvinylpyridine is poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a new cathode composition is prepared in a preferred method, in situ, in a cell whereby such in situ formation results in enhanced contact between the cathode composition and the current collector and between the electrolyte layer and the cathode composition.The new cathode composition of the invention comprises first and second polymeric materials, the first being radiation cured and ionically conductive and the second being electrochemically cured and electrically conductive. Preferably, the first is radiation cured before the second is electrochemically cured. The second polymeric material is cured in an electrochemical cell which comprises an alkali metal-containing anode layer. The cell desirably contains an electrolyte which consists of a solid ionically conductive polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention provides an alkoxyl additive for use in electrodes or precursor pastes of such electrodes, where such additive is hydrolyzed to thereby take-up or remove any water in the precursor paste or electrode.

Abstract: There is provided an electrochemical cell which has a non-metal negative electrode (anode on discharge). That is, no solid metal active material is used. The active material of the anode is lithium manganese oxide, Li.sub.x Mn.sub.y O.sub.z. According to another aspect of the invention, both the anode and cathode are formed of lithium manganese oxide, such as Li.sub.x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, where the starting material for both the anode and cathode has a value of x in a range of 1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.3.

Abstract: The thin film electrode is prepared by first forming a bath of a molten lithium material in a vessel. The molten lithium containing material is selected among lithium, a lithium alloy and lithium containing compounds. A substrate is coated with a thin layer of the molten material by transporting the substrate below the vessel where it contacts the molten lithium material.