US5449577A
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US
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Method for increasing the reversible capacity of lithium transition metal oxide cathodes
Assignee: NEC Moli Energy Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1995-01-06
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Granted: 1995-09-12
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Expires: 2015-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for increasing the reversible capacity of lithium transition metal oxide materials for use as cathodes in non-aqueous lithium batteries. The method involves reduction of oxide materials of the form Li x M y O z , wherein M represents transition metals whereby oxygen is removed while still maintaining the original phase of the material. Use of the method of the invention is particularly useful for oxide materials synthesized at low temperatures and where M is Mn.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey R. Dahn
- 👤 Eric W. Fuller
- 👤 Monique N. Richard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M4/00; H01M4/02; H01M4/36; H01M4/48; H01M4/50; H01M4/505; C; C01; C01G; C01G45/00; C01G45/12; C01G45/1221; C01G45/1228; C01G45/1242; C01G45/1292; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; H01M10/052; H01M4/13; H01M4/139; H01M4/1391; H01M4/485; C01P; C01P2002/00; C01P2002/30; C01P2002/32; C01P2002/70; C01P2002/72; C01P2002/80; C01P2002/88; C01P2006/00; C01P2006/40; H01M6/00; H01M6/04; H01M6/06; H01M6/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of increasing the reversible capacity of lithium transition metal oxide cathodes of non-aqueous lithium batteries which comprises reducing lithium transition metal oxide materials of the form Li x M y O z , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, with a reducing agent so that oxygen is removed from the material while maintaining the material in its original phase.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of increasing the reversible capacity of lithium transition metal oxide cathodes of non-aqueous lithium batteries which comprises reducing lithium transition metal oxide materials of the form Li x M y O z , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, with a reducing agent so that oxygen is removed from the material while maintaining the material in its original phase.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of producing a material for use as a cathode in a non-aqueous lithium battery comprising: treating a lithium transition metal oxide material of the formula Li x M y O z , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, with a reducing agent to remove oxygen from the material without causing a phase change in the material.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of producing a material for use as a cathode in a non-aqueous lithium battery comprising: treating a lithium transition metal oxide material of the formula Li x M y O z , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, with a reducing agent to remove oxygen from the material without causing a phase change in the material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein M is Mn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the reducing agent is a gas selected from the group consisting of NH 3 , H 2 , CO, and a suitable organic reducing gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the method is conducted at a temperature below about 300° C.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for preparing a cathode material in a phase with a final surface area and a formula Li x M y O z wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z are numbers greater than zero comprising: a) selecting a starting material in said phase with a starting surface area and a formula Li x M 7 O z' wherein z' is a number greater than z; and b) treating said starting material in a reducing environment wherein oxygen is removed and wherein the reversible capacity of said cathode material is greater than that of said starting material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for preparing a cathode material in a phase with a final surface area and a formula Li x M y O z wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z are numbers greater than zero comprising: a) selecting a starting material in said phase with a starting surface area and a formula Li x M 7 O z' wherein z' is a number greater than z; and b) treating said starting material in a reducing environment wherein oxygen is removed and wherein the reversible capacity of said cathode material is greater than that of said starting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein M is Mn.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the starting material is synthesized at temperatures below about 500° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the final surface area and starting surface area are about the same.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the treatment comprises heating said starting material in a reducing gas mixture comprising a gas selected from the group of NH 3 , H 2 , CO, and organic gases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 300° C.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for preparing a cathode material in a phase with a final surface area and a formula Li x Mn y O z wherein x, y and z are numbers greater than zero comprising: a) synthesizing, at temperatures below about 500° C., a starting material in said phase with a starting surface area and a formula Li x Mn y O z' wherein z' is a number greater than z; and b) heating said starting material in a reducing gas mixture wherein oxygen is removed and wherein the reversible capacity of said cathode material is greater than that of said starting material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for preparing a cathode material in a phase with a final surface area and a formula Li x Mn y O z wherein x, y and z are numbers greater than zero comprising: a) synthesizing, at temperatures below about 500° C., a starting material in said phase with a starting surface area and a formula Li x Mn y O z' wherein z' is a number greater than z; and b) heating said starting material in a reducing gas mixture wherein oxygen is removed and wherein the reversible capacity of said cathode material is greater than that of said starting material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein the phase is that of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein x is about 1, y is about 2, z is about 4, and z' is less than or equal to about 4.5.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 250° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about two hours.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein the phase is that of Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 17 wherein x is about 4, y is about 5, and z is about 12.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 17 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 225° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 19 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about 2 hours.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein the phase is that of LT-LiMnO 2 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein x is about 1, y is about 1, and z is about 2.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 225° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 23 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about 2 hours.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for increasing the reversible capacity of a first cathode material in a phase with a first surface area and formula Li x M y O z' , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, comprising treating the cathode material in a reducing environment to form a second cathode material in said phase with a second surface area and a formula Li x M y O z wherein 0<z<z'.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for increasing the reversible capacity of a first cathode material in a phase with a first surface area and formula Li x M y O z' , wherein M is one or more transition metals and x, y and z' are numbers greater than zero, comprising treating the cathode material in a reducing environment to form a second cathode material in said phase with a second surface area and a formula Li x M y O z wherein 0<z<z'.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method as in claim 25 herein M is Mn.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the starting material is synthesized at temperatures below about 500° C.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the final surface area and starting surface area are about the same.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the treatment comprises heating said starting material in a reducing gas mixture comprising a gas selected from the group of NH 3 , H 2 , CO, and organic gases.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 29 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 300° C.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the phase is that of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 .
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 31 wherein x is about 1, y is about 2, z is about 4, and z' is less than or equal to about 4.5.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 31 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 250° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about two hours.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the phase is that of Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 35 wherein x is about 4, y is about 5, and z is about 12.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 35 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 225° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 37 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about 2 hours.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein the phase is that of LT-LiMnO 2 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 39 wherein x is about 1, y is about 1, and z is about 2.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 39 wherein the heating is performed at temperatures below about 225° C. in a gas mixture comprising NH 3 .
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 41 wherein the heating is performed for a period up to about 2 hours.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
A non-aqueous battery comprising: a) an anode; b) an electrolyte; and c) a cathode comprising material prepared using the method of claim 1, 2, 6, 12 or 25.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
A non-aqueous battery comprising: a) an anode of lithium, a lithium alloy, a carbonaceous compound or a lithium insertion compound; b) an electrolyte; and c) a cathode comprising material prepared using the method of claim 1, 2, 6, 12 or 25.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
A non-aqueous battery comprising: a) an anode of lithium, a lithium alloy, a carbonaceous compound or a lithium insertion compound; b) an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt dissolved in a mixture of non-aqueous solvents; and c) a cathode comprising material prepared using the method of claim 1, 2, 6, 12 or 25.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
57 words
A non-aqueous battery comprising: a) an anode of lithium, a lithium alloy, a carbonaceous compound or a lithium insertion compound; b) an electrolyte comprising LiPF 6 dissolved in a mixture of dimethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and propylene carbonate solvents; and c) a cathode comprising material prepared using the method of claim 1, 2, 6, 12 or 25.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-11 | 1999-03-13 | 1999-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-11 | 2003-03-13 | 2003-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-11 | 2007-03-13 | 2007-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |