The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1999
Dale R Shackle, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Benjamin Chaloner-Gill, San Jose, CA (US);
Rentech, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is a simple and reliable method for producing lithiated metal oxides such as those useful as cathode materials in lithium ion electrochemical cells. The method is based on the use of an organic solvent that dissolves both lithium sulfide and elemental sulfur without dissolving the metal oxide or the lithiated product. Lithium sulfide and the metal oxide as a powder are refluxed in the organic solvent under an inert atmosphere. The organic solvent dissolves the lithium sulfide and the dissolved sulfide reduces the metal oxide allowing the intercalation of lithium. At the same time the sulfur that results from the oxidation-reduction reaction is carried away by the solvent thereby promoting the reaction and preventing contamination of the product with sulfur.