Abstract: A method of making a composition of the nominal general formula NayKxV3O8, with a unit structure of preferred nominal general formula Na1−xKxV3O8, such structure being able to accept lithium ions. The method as exemplified by the formation of Na1−xKxV3O8, comprises forming a mixture of hydroxides of sodium and potassium and then adding vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) in an amount sufficient to provide a stoichiometric ratio of approximately 1:3 of Na1−xKx to vanadium and preferably heating the mixture while stirring to cause formation of a precipitate product of the formula Na1−xKxV3O8. The new composition preferably contains x greater than or equal to 0.3 and less than or equal to 0.4. Preferred compositions have the nominal general formula Na0.7K0.3V3O8 and Na0.6K0.4V3O8.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode. The first electrode comprises a phosphorous compound of the nominal general formula Li3E′aE″b(PO4)3, desirably at least one E is a metal; and preferably, Li3M′M″(PO4)3. E′ and E″ are the same or different from one another. Where E′ and E″ are the same, they are preferably metals having more than one oxidation state. Where E′ and E″ are different from one another, they are preferably selected from the group of metals where at least one of E′ and E″ has more than one oxidation state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reclaiming a cathodic active material of lithium ion secondary batteries. The lithium ion secondary battery is broken and the casing and the content are separated to remove the casing from the content. The content is dissolved into a mineral acid to separate remaining non-dissolved content from the mineral acid to obtain a liquid containing the cathodic active material represented by the formula: LiMO2, where M is a transition metal element: cobalt, nickel and manganese. A lithium salt is added to the liquid, and the cathodic active material is recovered from the liquid in the form of a mixture of lithium compound and the transition metal compound, which is calcined and reclaimed into the cathodic active material.

Abstract: An electro-active compound particulate coated with a conducting polymer composition finds use in electrochemical cell electrodes.

Abstract: An alkali metal, solid cathode, non-aqueous electrochemical cell capable of delivering high current pulses, rapidly recovering its open circuit voltage and having high current capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one organic sulfate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a mixture of a low viscosity solvent and a high permittivity solvent. A preferred solvent mixture includes propylene carbonate, 1,2-dimethoxyethane and a sulfate additive having at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a C(sp or sp2)-C(sp3) bond unit having the C(sp3) carbon directly connected to the —OSO3— functional group.

Abstract: A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one phosphonate additive having the formula (R1O)P(═O) (OR2) (R3) provided in the electrolyte. In the phosphonate formula, R3 is a hydrogen atom and wherein at least one, but not both, of R1 and R2 is a hydrogen atom and the other of R1 and R2 is an organic group containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms. Or, at least one of R1 and R2 is an organic group containing at least 3 carbon atoms and having an sp or sp2 hybridized carbon atom bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom bonded to the phosphorous atom, or at least one of R1 and R2 is an unsaturated inorganic group.

Abstract: A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one carbonate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a solvent mixture that includes ethylene carbonate and an equilibrated mixture of dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The preferred additive is either a linear or cyclic carbonate containing covalent O—X and O—Y bonds on opposite sides of a carbonyl group wherein at least one of the O—X and the O—Y bonds has a dissociation energy less than about 80 kcal/mole.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to composite cathodes suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, said cathodes comprising: (a) an electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, wherein said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, in its oxidized state, comprises a polysulfide moiety of the formula —Sm—, wherein m is an integer equal to or greater than 3; and, (b) an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition, which encapsulates said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, and which retards the transport of anionic reduction products of said electroactive sulfur-containing cathode material, said electroactive transition metal chalcogenide composition comprising an electroactive transition metal chalcogenide having the formula MjYk (OR)l wherein: M is a transition metal; Y is the same or different at each occurrence and is oxygen, sulfur, or selenium; R is an organic group and is the same or different at each occurrence; j is an integer ranging from 1 to 12; k is

Abstract: The thermal treatment of transition metal oxide electrodes such as silver vanadium oxide cathode plates, contacted to titanium current collectors for the purpose of reducing polarization resistance in an alkali metal electrochemical cell, is described. The electrodes are exposed to an elevated temperature of at least about 225° C. for about 8 hours prior to cell fabrication. The present heat treatment regime is particularly useful in cathodes intended for fabrication into a cell powering an implantable medical device with improved polarization resistance as well as reduced heat dissipation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an unexpected benefit in a lithium cell derived from using a combination of silver vanadium oxide prepared in a temperature range of about 450° C. to about 500° C. activated with a nonaqueous electrolyte having a passivation inhibitor additive selected from a nitrite, a nitrate, a carbonate, a dicarbonate, a phosphonate, a phosphate, a sulfate and hydrogen fluoride, and mixtures thereof. The benefits include additional battery life resulting from a reduction in voltage delay and RDC build-up. A preferred electrolyte is 1M LiAsF6 in a 50:50 mixture, by volume, of PC and DME having dibenzyl carbonate added therein.

Abstract: A lithium-containing complex metal oxide having a crystal structure of &agr;-NaFeO2 type and represented by a general formula: LiaNiXCoYAlZO2 wherein 0.96≦a≦1.06, 0.70≦X<0.85, 0.05≦Y≦0.20, 0.10<Z≦0.25, and 0.98≦(X+Y+Z)≦1.02, and further wherein a separation between a peak position of (018) face and a peak position of (110) face in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of said metal oxide using CuK&agr;-ray is in the range of from 0.520 to 0.700° as expressed in terms of &Dgr;2&thgr;((110)-(018)).

Abstract: A totally-solid lithium secondary battery can be improved in charge and discharge characteristics by adding to the negative electrode a first transition metal chalcogenide or lithium•transition metal chalcogenide which acts as the active material for negative electrode and a second transition metal chalcogenide or lithium•transition metal chalcogenide which inhibits precipitation of metallic lithium.

Abstract: A transition metal based ceramic material having the general formula Li&agr;M1−&bgr;T&bgr;NxO67, wherein M is a transition metal, T is a dopant metal, and wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to l, &dgr; is 0, or less than or equal to 4; &agr; is less than or equal to 3−x, and &bgr; is less than 1 is disclosed. The ceramic material has utility as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.

Abstract: A positive active material for rechargeable lithium batteries includes an active material component processed from a manganese-based compound. The transition metal compound is selected from LixMnO2, LixMnF2, LixMnS2, LixMnO2-zFz, LixMnO2-xSz, LixMn1-yMyO2, LixMn1-yMyF2, LixMn1-yMyS2, LixMn1-yMyO2-zFz, LixMn1-yMyO2-zSz, LixMn2O4, LixMn2F4, LixMn2S4, LixMn2O4-zFz, LixMn2O4-zSz, LixMn2-yMyO4, LixMn2-yMyF4, LixMn2-yMyS4, LixMn2-yMyO4-zFz, or LixMn2-yMyO4-zSz where O<x≦1.5, 0.05≦y≦0.3, y≦1.0 and M is selected from Al, Co, Cr, Mg, Fe, La, Sr or Ce. A vanadium pentoxide is coated on the active material component.

Abstract: This invention relates to layered LiMnO2 and LixMn0.82Co0.18O2. They are useful in rechargeable batteries.