Abstract: Methods and systems for processing metal oxides from metal containing solutions. Metal containing solutions are mixed with heated aqueous oxidizing solutions and processed in a continuous process reactor or batch processing system. Combinations of temperature, pressure, molarity, Eh value, and pH value of the mixed solution are monitored and adjusted so as to maintain solution conditions within a desired stability area during processing. This results in metal oxides having high or increased pollutant loading capacities and/or oxidation states. These metal oxides may be processed according to the invention to produce co-precipitated oxides of two or more metals, metal oxides incorporating foreign cations, metal oxides precipitated on active and inactive substrates, or combinations of any or all of these forms.

Abstract: A process to produce a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, having a large volume capacity density and high safety, uniform coating properties, charge and discharge cyclic durability and low temperature characteristics even at a high charge voltage is disclosed. The positive electrode active material is a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula LipNxMyOzFa, wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zn, Al, alkaline earth metal elements, and transition metal elements other than the N element, O.9?p?l.1, 0.97?x?l.00, 0?y?0.03, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1 and 0?a?0.02. The N element source powder having an average particle size of from 2 to 20 ?m, is impregnated with the M element salt aqueous solution, and the prepared dry powder comprising the N element, M element, a lithium source and optionally a fluorine source is fired at from 700 to 1 ,050° C.

Abstract: As a positive electrode active material, a lithium transition metal complex oxide having a layered rock-salt structure containing lithium (Li) and containing magnesium atoms (Mg) substituted for part of lithium atoms (Li) is used. The lithium transition metal complex oxide is formed by chemical or electrochemical substitution of Mg atoms for part of Li atoms in LiCoO2, LiMnO2, LiFeO2, LiNiO2, or the like. A cell is prepared in which a negative electrode 2 and a positive electrode 1 including the lithium transition metal complex oxide (positive electrode active material) are disposed in a non-aqueous electrolyte 5 including a lithium salt, and part of Li in the lithium transition metal complex oxide is extracted by discharging the cell. Then, the electrolyte including Li is replaced with an electrolyte including Mg, and the cell is discharged, so that Mg atoms are substituted for the part of Li atoms in the lithium transition metal complex oxide.

Abstract: A lithium nickel manganese cobalt complex oxide powder for a lithium secondary battery positive electrode material, which is composed of a crystal structure having a layered structure, and the composition thereof is expressed by the following formula: Li[Liz/(2+z){(LixNi(1?3x)/2Mn(1+x)/2)(1?y)Coy}2/(2+z)]O2 wherein 0.01?x?0.15, 0?y?0.35, and 0.02(1?y)(1?3x)?z?0.15(1?y)(1?3x).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same. The positive active material includes a lithium/nickel-based compound wherein primary particles having an average particle diameter ranging from 1 ?m to 4 ?m are agglomerated to form secondary particles. The positive active material of the present invention has excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding inhibition to swelling at high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention includes an electrochemical redox active material. The electrochemical redox active material includes a cocrystalline metallic compound having a general formula AxMO4-yXOy.M?O, where A is at least one metallic element selected from a group consisting of alkali metals, M and M? may be identical or different and independently of one another at least one selected from a group consisting of transition metals and semimetals, X is P or As, 0.9?x?1.1, and 0<y<4.

Abstract: The preparation of finely divided, alkali metal-containing metal oxide powders which contain at least one alkali metal and at least one further metal from the group consisting of the transition metals, the remaining main group metals, the lanthanides and actinides is described. Precursor compounds of these components are introduced in solid form or in the form of a solution or a suspension into a pulsation reactor having a gas flow resulting from a flameless combustion and partly or completely converted into the desired multicomponent metal oxide powder.

Abstract: Coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese hydroxide wherein primary particles are coagulated to form secondary particles are synthesized by allowing an aqueous solution of a nickel-cobalt-manganese salt, an aqueous solution of an alkali-metal hydroxide, and an ammonium-ion donor to react under specific conditions; and a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-containing composite oxide represented by a general formula, LipNixMn1-x-yCoyO2-qFq (where 0.98?p?1.07, 0.3?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.38, and 0?q?0.05), which is a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell having a wide usable voltage range, a charge-discharge cycle durability, a high capacity and high safety, is obtained by dry-blending coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxyhydroxide formed by making an oxidant to act on the coagulated particles with a lithium salt, and firing the mixture in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A layered lithium-nickel-based compound oxide powder for a positive electrode material for a high density lithium secondary cell, capable of providing a lithium secondary cell having a high capacity and excellent in the rate characteristics also, is provided. A layered lithium-nickel-based compound oxide powder for a positive electrode material for a lithium secondary cell, characterized in that the bulk density is at least 2.0 g/cc, the average primary particle size B is from 0.1 to 1 ?m, the median diameter A of the secondary particles is from 9 to 20 ?m, and the ratio A/B of the median diameter A of the secondary particles to the average primary particle size B, is within a range of from 10 to 200.

Abstract: Provided are a cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with high operating voltage, high volume capacity density, high safety and excellent charge and discharge cyclic properties, and its production method. The cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which comprises a lithium-containing composite oxide powder, which is represented by the formula LipNxMyOzFa (wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than the element N, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.965?x<1.00, 0<y?0.035, 1.9?z?2.1, x+y=1 and 0?a?0.02), a surface layer of which contains zirconium, and the surface layer within 5 nm of which has an atomic ratio (zirconium/the element N) of at least 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barium titanate having a small particle size, containing small amounts of unwanted impurities, and exhibiting excellent electric characteristics; and a process for producing the barium titanate. The perovskite-type barium titanate comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zr, Ca, Sr, Pb, and the like, in an amount of 5 mol % or less (inclusive of 0 mol %) based on BaTiO3, wherein the molar ratio of A atom to B atom in the perovskite structure represented by ABX3 (A atom is surrounded with 12× atoms, and B atom is surrounded with 6× atoms) is from 1.001 to 1.025, and the specific surface area x (m2/g) and the ratio y of the c-axis length to the a-axis length of the crystal lattice as calculated by the Rietveld method satisfy the following formula. y>1.0083?6.53×10?7×x3 (wherein y=c-axis length/a-axis length, and 6.6?x?20).

Abstract: Coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese hydroxide wherein primary particles are coagulated to form secondary particles are synthesized by allowing an aqueous solution of a nickel-cobalt-manganese salt, an aqueous solution of an alkali-metal hydroxide, and an ammonium-ion donor to react under specific conditions; and a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-containing composite oxide represented by a general formula, LipNixMn1-x-yCoyO2-qFq (where 0.98?p?1.07, 0.3?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.38, and 0?q?0.05), which is a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell having a wide usable voltage range, a charge-discharge cycle durability, a high capacity and high safety, is obtained by dry-blending coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxyhydroxide formed by making an oxidant to act on the coagulated particles with a lithium salt, and firing the mixture in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods of producing a safe and hygienic method for industrially and efficiently producing a perovskite-type composite oxide are provided that can maintain the catalytic activity of a noble metal at a high level. Methods include preparing a precursor of the perovskite-type composite oxide by mixing organometal salts of elementary components of the perovskite-type composite oxide and heat treating the precursor. The precursor may be prepared by mixing all elementary components constituting the perovskite-type composite oxide, or by mixing one or more organometal salts of part of the elementary components with the other elementary components prepared as alkoxides, a coprecipitate of salts, or a citrate complex of the respective elements.

Abstract: A composition having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.91<x+y<1.3 can be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells. A composition having a core, having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.9<x+y<1.3, and a coating on the core, having a formula LiaCobO2 wherein 0.7<a<1.3, and 0.9<b<1.2, can also be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: To provide a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide powder for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability. A positive electrode active material powder for a lithium secondary battery characterized by comprising a first granular powder having a compression breaking strength of at least 50 MPa and a second granular powder having a compression breaking strength of less than 40 MPa, formed by agglomeration of many fine particles of a lithium composite oxide represented by the formula LipNixCoyMnzMqO2-aFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Ni, Co and Mn, Al or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9?p?1.1, 0.2?x?0.8, 0?y?0.4, 0?z?0.5, y+z>0, 0?q?0.05, 1.9?2?a?2.1, x+y+z+q=1 and 0?a?0.02) to have an average particle size D50 of from 3 to 15 ?m, in a weight ratio of the first granular powder/the second granular powder being from 50/50 to 90/10.

Abstract: A cathode active material includes: (a) first oxide including (1) lithium (Li), nickel (Ni) and manganese, (2) a first element MI selected from Group 2 to Group 14 elements, and (3) oxygen; (b) a second oxide including (1) lithium, (2) a second element MII including nickel and cobalt, (3) manganese, (4) a third element including at least one of the elements of Group 2 to Group 14 elements, except for nickel, cobalt and manganese, and (5) oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite oxide for a high performance solid oxide fuel cell which can be fired at a relatively low temperature, and which has little heterogeneous phases of impurities other than the desired composition. The composite oxide is the one having a perovskite type crystal structure containing rare earth elements, and having constituent elements homogeneously dispersed therein. A homogeneous composite oxide having an abundance ratio of heterogeneous phases of at most 0.3% by average area ratio, and a melting point of at least 1470° C., is obtained by using metal carbonates, oxides or hydroxides, and reacting them with citric acid in an aqueous system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a powdered lithium transition metal oxide useful as a major component for cathode active material of rechargeable lithium batteries, comprising a lithium transition metal oxide particle, a doped interface layer formed near the surface of the particle, and a thermodynamically and mechanically stable outer layer, and a method of preparing the same.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided wherein the positive electrode is made from a lithium-metal composite oxide represented by the general formula Lix(Ni1-y, Coy)1-zMzO2 (0.98?x?1.10, 0.05?y?0.4, 0.01?z?0.2, in which M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Mn, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn and Ga), and having an average particle diameter of 5 ?m to 10 ?m a C-amount of 0.14 wt % or less measured by way of the high-frequency heating-IR absorption method, and a Karl Fischer moisture content of 0.2 wt % or less when heated to 180° C. and the method comprising the steps of applying a paste of active material for positive electrode to electrode plate to make an electrode, then drying the electrode, and pressing and then installing the electrode in a battery, in a work atmosphere having an absolute moisture content of 10 g/m3 or less.

Abstract: An uncycled electrode for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell including a lithium metal oxide having the formula Li(2+2x)/(2+x)M?2x/(2+x)M(2?2x)/(2+x)O2??, in which 0?x<1 and ? is less than 0.2, and in which M is a non-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. Methods of preconditioning the electrodes are disclosed as are electrochemical cells and batteries containing the electrodes.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries of general formula Li1+xNi?Mn?A?O2 and further wherein A is Mg, Zn, Al, Co, Ga, B, Zr, or Ti and 0<x<0.2, 0.1???0.5, 0.4???0.6, 0???0.1 and a method of manufacturing the same. Such an active material is manufactured by employing either a solid state reaction method or an aqueous solution method or a sol-gel method which is followed by a rapid quenching from high temperatures into liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

Abstract: A lithium-containing complex oxide exhibits a high performance as a cathode active material of a lithium secondary cell or the like and having a high tap density. A granular lithium-containing complex oxide, such as lithium manganese complex oxide, is made up of “complex oxide grains produced by integrating lithium-rich material grains abnormally grown during a firing reaction with the surfaces of the base grains by sintering.” The number of complex oxide grains is not more than 50 per gram of the complex grains. A metal oxide such as manganese oxide and lithium carbonate not more than 5 ?m in average grain size are mixed by means of a mixer which grinds and mixes particles by using a shearing force and heated and fired at a warming rate of not more than 50° C./h., thus producing the lithium-containing complex oxide.

Abstract: An electrochemically active material resulting from substituting a portion of the nickel in a single-phase composite oxide of nickel and lithium of the LiNiO2 type, characterized in that the active material satisfies the formula: Li(M1(1-a-b-c)LiaM2bM3c)O2 in which: 0.02<a?0.25; 0?b<0.30; 0?c<0.30; (a+b+c)<0.50; M3 is at least one element selected from Al, B, and Ga; M2 is at least one element selected from Mg and Zn; and M1=Ni(1-x-y-z)CoxMnyM4z in which M4 is at least one element selected from Fe, Cu, Ti, Zr, V, Ga, and Si; and 0?x<0.70; 0.10?y<0.55; 0?z<0.30; and 0.20<(1-x-y-z); b+c+z>0; and in that said active material, regardless of its state of charge, satisfies the relationship: 0.40<R<0.90, where: R=(1-a-b-c)*[3-[(nU/nMA+dox)/(4-2b-3c)]*(2-b-2c)] in which: nU is the lithium content expressed in moles; nMA is the sum of the contents of Ni, Mn, Co, and M4 expressed in moles; and dox is the overall degree of oxidation of M1.

Abstract: A method for carrying out solid state reactions under reducing conditions is provided. Solid state reactants include at least one inorganic metal compound and a source of reducing carbon. The reaction may be carried out in a reducing atmosphere in the presence of reducing carbon. Reducing carbon may be supplied by elemental carbon, by an organic material, or by mixtures. The organic material is one that can form decomposition products containing carbon in a form capable of acting as a reductant. The reaction proceeds without significant covalent incorporation of organic material into the reaction product. In a preferred embodiment, the solid state reactants also include an alkali metal compound. The products of the method find use in lithium ion batteries as cathode active materials. Preferred active materials include lithium-transition metal phosphates and lithium-transition metal oxides.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery excellent in volume capacity density, safety, charge and discharge cyclic durability, press density and productivity, by using in expensive cobalt hydroxide and lithium carbonate. A mixture having a cobalt hydroxide powder and a lithium carbonate powder mixed so that the atomic ratio of lithium/cobalt would be from 0.98 to 1.01, is fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 250 to 700° C., and the fired product is further fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 850 to 1,050° C., or such a mixture is heated at a temperature-raising rate of at most 4° C./min in a range from 250 to 600° C. and fired in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at from 850 to 1,050° C.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of preparing magnetic ferrites from layered precursors in which Fe2+ is first introduced into the layers of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in order to prepare Me-Fe2+—Fe3+ LDHs, and then by utilizing the easily oxidized nature of Fe2+, binary or multi-component ferrite materials containing Fe3+ in a single crystalline phase can be prepared. Values of the saturation magnetization of ferrites prepared by the method are significantly increased compared with ferrites prepared by traditional methods. Because the metal elements in the layered precursor have the characteristics of a high degree of dispersion, high activity and small particle size (average particle size 40-200 nm), no milling is required before calcination, thus simplifying the production process, shortening the production period, reducing capital investment in equipment and economizing on energy costs. In addition, the method does not corrode production equipment and does not pollute the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive active material for a lithium rechargeable battery, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium rechargeable battery comprising the same. The positive active material has an I(003)/I(104) intensity ratio of between 1.15 to 1 and 1.21 to 1 in an X ray diffraction pattern using CuK? ray, wherein I(003)/I(004) is the X-ray diffraction intensity of the (003) plane divided by the X-ray diffraction intensity of the (104) plane. The compound is represented by the formula: LixNiyCozMn1?y?z?qXqO2 wherein x?1.05, 0<y<0.35, 0<z<0.35, X is Al, Mg, Sr, Ti or La, and 0?q<0.1.

Abstract: Granular secondary particles of a lithium-manganese composite oxide suitable for use in non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries showing high-output characteristics which are granular secondary particles made up of aggregated crystalline primary particles of a lithium-manganese composite oxide and have many micrometer-size open voids therein with a defined average diameter and total volume of open voids. A process for producing the granular secondary particles which includes spray-drying a slurry of at least a manganese oxide, a lithium source, and an agent for open-void formation to thereby granulate the slurry and then calcining the granules.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery employing a positive electrode active material containing a compound represented by the general formula LixMyPO4, where 0<x?2 and 0.8?y?1.2, with M containing a 3d transition metal, where LixMyPO4 encompasses that with the grain size not larger than 10 ?m. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has superior cyclic characteristics and a high capacity.

Abstract: Single-phase lithium-transition metal oxide compounds containing cobalt, manganese and nickel can be prepared by wet milling cobalt-, manganese-, nickel- and lithium-containing oxides or oxide precursors to form a finely-divided slurry containing well-distributed cobalt, manganese, nickel and lithium, and heating the slurry to provide a lithium-transition metal oxide compound containing cobalt, manganese and nickel and having a substantially single-phase O3 crystal structure. Wet milling provides significantly shorter milling times than dry milling and appears to promote formation of single-phase lithium-transition metal oxide compounds. The time savings in the wet milling step more than offsets the time that may be required to dry the slurry during the heating step.

Abstract: A low-temperature hydrothermal reaction is provided to generate crystalline perovskite nanotubes such as barium titanate (BaTiO3) and strontium titanate (SrTiO3) that have an outer diameter from about 1 nm to about 500 nm and a length from about 10 nm to about 10 micron. The low-temperature hydrothermal reaction includes the use of a metal oxide nanotube structural template, i.e., precursor. These titanate nanotubes have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and selected area electron diffraction (SAED).

Abstract: A method for producing a positive electrode material adapted to the Li-ion secondary batteries is disclosed. The produced material has the following formula (I), Li1+xMn2?yMyO4 ??(I) wherein M is Mg, Al, Cr, Fe, Co, or Ni; 0?x?0.4, and 0?y?0.2. The method is achieved by co-precipitating a gel salts with an organic acid. First, salts of Li, Mn and M are mixed with at least a solvent to form an initial solution. The mole ratio of Li, Mn and M ions in their respective salts is (1+x):(2?y):y. Next, at least a chelate is added into the initial solution to form a suspension, which is then filtered to obtain a co-precipitate. Finally, the co-precipitate is calcined and heated to obtain the final product.

Abstract: The present invention includes substantially single-phase lithium metal oxide compounds having hexagonal layered crystal structures that are substantially free of localized cubic spinel-like structural phases. The lithium metal oxides of the invention have the formula Li?M?A?O2, wherein M is one or more transition metals, A is one or more dopants having an average oxidation state N such that +2.5?N?+3.5, 0.90???1.10, and ?+?=1. The present invention also includes dilithiated forms of these compounds, lithium and lithium-ion secondary batteries using these compounds as positive electrode materials, and methods of preparing these compounds.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode (10) having a plurality of nanoparticles of lithium doped transition metal alloy oxides represented by the formula LixCoyNizO2, an anode (20) having at least one carbon nanotube array (22), an electrolyte, and a membrane (30) separating the anode from the cathode. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (23). Preferably, an average diameter of an outermost wall of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes is in the range from 10 to 100 nanometers, and a pitch between adjacent multi-walled carbon nanotubes is in the range from 20 to 500 nanometers. In the carbon nanotube array, the lithium ions are able to intercalate not only inside the multi-walled carbon nanotubes, but also in the interstices between adjacent multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Thus a density of intercalation of the carbon nanotube array is significantly higher than that of graphite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lithium manganese complex oxide with a spinel structure used as an active material of a lithium or lithium ion secondary battery. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing lithium manganese complex oxide having improved cyclic performance at a high temperature above room temperature, and a lithium or lithium ion secondary battery using the oxide prepared according to said process as a cathode active material.

Abstract: A low temperature contaminant limiting process for lithiating hydroxides and forming lithiated metal oxides of suitable crystalinity in-situ. M(OH)2 is added to an aqueous solution of LiOH. An oxidant is introduced into the solution which is heated below about 150° C. and, if necessary, agitated. M may be selected from cobalt, nickel and manganese. The resultant LiMO2 becomes crystallized in-situ and is subsequently removed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synthesizing a crystalline metal oxide powder material containing two or more uniformly distributed metal elements. Crystalline, water containing, oxygen containing inorganic acid salts of the metals are heated to liquefy the salts. The apparent solution contains a uniform mixture of the metal elements. The water is removed from the liquid and the resulting powder calcined in air to decompose the acid salts to a mixed metal crystalline oxide. The method is particularly useful to make doped LiNiO2 type crystals using hydrated nitrate or nitrite salts of Li, Ni and the dopant elements. Examples of useful salts are LiNO3.H2O, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O, Co(NO3)2.6H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O.

Abstract: A cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery includes a spinel lithium manganese composite oxide expressed by the general formula: Lia(NixMn2?x?q?rQqRr)O4, wherein 0.4?x?0.6, 0<q, 0?r, x+q+r<2, 0<a<1.2, Q is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Ca, and R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Be, B, Mg and Al.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process based on solid state thermal reaction for the preparation of cathode materials for lithium secondary batteries such as rocking chair and intercalated batteries.

Abstract: A method for preparing a positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. In this method, a lithium source, a metal source, and a doping liquid including a doping element are mixed and the mixture is heat-treated.

Abstract: A positive active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided comprising lithium manganese oxide having such a spinel structure that the half-width (2?) of the reflection peak corresponding to 440 plane as determined by X-ray diffractometry using CuK? ray is not greater than 0.145°. The use of this positive active material makes it possible to obtain a secondary battery which exhibits a good cycle life performance at room temperature and high temperatures and a reduced capacity drop when stored at high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nickel-zinc battery of an inside-out structure, that is, a battery comprising a positive electrode containing beta-type nickel oxyhydroxide and a negative electrode containing zinc and having a similar structure to an alkali manganese battery, in which the beta-type nickel oxyhydroxide consists of substantially spherical particles, mean particle size of which is within a range from 19 ?m to a maximum of 40 ?m, the bulk density of which is within a range from 1.6 g/cm3 to a maximum of 2.2 g/cm3, tap density of which is within a range from 2.2 g/cm3 to a maximum of 2.7 g/cm3, specific surface area which based on BET method is within a range from 3 m2/g to a maximum of 50 m2/g, and the positive electrode of the nickel zinc battery contains graphite powder, where the weight ratio of graphite powder against a total weight of the positive electrode is defined within a range from 4% to a maximum of 8%.

Abstract: The present invention is a positive electrode active material that can be used in secondary lithium and lithium-ion batteries to provide the power capability, i.e., the ability to deliver or retake energy in short periods of time, desired for large power applications such as power tools, electric bikes and hybrid electric vehicles. The positive electrode active material of the invention includes at least one electron conducting compound of the formula LiM1x?y{A}yOz and at least one electron insulating and lithium ion conducting lithium metal oxide, wherein M1 is a transition metal, {A} is represented by the formula ?wiBi wherein Bi is an element other than M1 used to replace the transition metal M1 and wi is the fractional amount of element Bi in the total dopant combination such that ?wi=1; Bi is a cation in LiM1x?y{A}yOz; 0.95?x?2.10; 0?y?x/2; and 1.90?z?4.20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing lithium-transition metal mixtures of general formula Lix(M1yM21-y)nOnz, wherein M1 represents nickel, cobalt or manganese, M2 represents chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum or aluminium, and is different from M1, n is 2 if M1 represents manganese and is 1 otherwise, x is comprised between 0.9 and 1.2, y is comprised between 0.5 and 1.0 and z is comprised between 1.9 and 2.1. According to the inventive method, an intimate mixture composed of transition metal compounds containing oxygen and of a lithium compound containing oxygen is calcinated, said mixture being obtained by processing a solid powder transition metal compound with a solution of said lithium compound, and then drying. At least the M1 compound is used in powder form having a specific surface of at least 20 m2/g (BET) and calcination is carried out in a fluidised bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing lithium intercalation compounds by plasma reaction comprising the steps of: forming a feed solution by mixing lithium nitrate or lithium hydroxide or lithium oxide and the required metal nitrate or metal hydroxide or metal oxide and between 10-50% alcohol by weight; mixing the feed solution with O2 gas wherein the O2 gas atomizes the feed solution into fine reactant droplets, inserting the atomized feed solution into a plasma reactor to form an intercalation powder; and if desired, heating the resulting powder to from a very pure single phase product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synthesizing a crystalline metal oxide powder material containing two or more uniformly distributed metal elements. Crystalline, water containing, oxygen containing inorganic acid salts of the metals are heated to liquefy the salts. The apparent solution contains a uniform mixture of the metal elements. The water is removed from the liquid and the resulting powder calcined in air to decompose the acid salts to a mixed metal crystalline oxide. The method is particularly useful to make doped LiNiO2 type crystals using hydrated nitrate or nitrite salts of Li, Ni and the dopant elements. Examples of useful salts are LiNO3.H2O, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O, Co(NO3)2.6H2O, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O.

Abstract: The positive electrode active material of the present invention is characterized in that its main component is a lithium metal oxide, and the lithium concentration at the surface portion of the primary particles that make up the active material is lower than that in the interior thereof. There will be less increase in internal resistance with a secondary cell made using this active material. The above-mentioned active material can be manufactured, for example, by bringing the raw active material into contact with a treatment liquid containing metal ions, and thereby lowering the lithium concentration at the surface portion of the primary particles that make up the raw active material.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide positive electrode material in which a discharge rate characteristic and battery capacity are hardly deteriorated in the environment of low temperature of −30° C., its manufacturing method and a lithium secondary battery using the positive electrode material. The invention is characterized by the positive electrode material in which plural primary particles are flocculated and a secondary particle is formed, and the touch length of the primary particles is equivalent to 10 to 70% of the length of the whole periphery on the section of the touched primary particles.

Abstract: A positive active material for lithium secondary batteries is provided with which a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density and excellent charge/discharge cycle performance can be obtained. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density and excellent charge/discharge cycle performance.