Abstract: An inexpensive method for making lithium transition metal olivine particles that have high specific capacities is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) combining precursor materials including at least one source of lithium ions, at least one source of transition metal ions, at least one source of HxP04 ions where x is 0-2 and at least one source of carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, formate and/or acetate ions in a mixture of water and a liquid cosolvent which is miscible with water at the relative proportions of water and cosolvent that are present and which liquid cosolvent has a boiling temperature of at least 130° C.; wherein the mole ratio of lithium ions to HxP04 ions is from 0.9:1 to 1.2:1, and a lithium transition metal phosphate and at least one of carbonic acid, formic acid or acetic acid are formed, b) heating the resulting mixture at a temperature of up to 120° C.

Abstract: Olivine lithium transition metal phosphate cathode materials are made in a microwave-assisted process by combining precursors in a mixture of water and an alcoholic cosolvent, then exposing the precursors to microwave radiation 5 to heat them under superatmospheric pressure. This process allows rapid synthesis of the cathode materials, and produces cathode materials that have high specific capacities.