Rechargeable lithium battery having an improved cathode and process for the production thereof

Abstract

A rechargeable lithium battery comprising at least a cathode, a separator, an anode, and an electrolyte or electrolyte solution integrated in a battery housing, is characterized by a cathode constituted of a specific powdery cathode active material having a large specific surface area and a primary particle size of 0.5 &mgr;m or less. The cathode active material is obtained by mixing a salt of a transition metal in and dissolving the salt in an aqueous solution containing at least a water-soluble polymer material to obtain an intermediate, and baking the intermediate to form said powdery cathode active material for use as the cathode active material of said cathode. Alternatively, the cathode active material is obtained by mixing a salt of a transition metal in a monomer capable of forming at least a water-soluble polymer material, polymerizing the monomer to obtain a polymerized intermediate, and baking the polymerized intermediate to form the powdery cathode active material for use as said cathode active material of the cathode. A process for the production of the rechargeable lithium, battery is also provided.