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:
Nov. 29, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 19, 2007
Stephane Levasseur, Brussels, BE;
Michèle Van Thournout, Ellezelles, BE;
Pierre Gibot, Amiens, FR;
Christian Masquelier, Boves, FR;
Stephane Levasseur, Brussels, BE;
Michèle Van Thournout, Ellezelles, BE;
Pierre Gibot, Amiens, FR;
Christian Masquelier, Boves, FR;
Umicore, Brussels, BE;
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, FR;
Abstract
The present invention relates to lithium secondary batteries and more specifically to positive electrode materials operating at potentials greater than 2.8 V vs. Li/Li in non-aqueous electrochemical cells. In particular, the invention relates to crystalline nanometric olivine-type LiFeMPOpowder with M is Co and/or Mn, and 0<x<1, with small particle size and narrow particle size distribution. A direct precipitation process is described, comprising the steps of:—providing a water-based mixture having at a pH between 6 and 10, containing a dipolar aprotic additive, and Li, Fe, P, and Coand/or Mnas precursor components;—heating said water-based mixture to a temperature less than or equal to its boiling point at atmospheric pressure, thereby precipitating crystalline LiFeMPOpowder. An extremely fine particle size is obtained of about 80 nm for Mn and 275 nm for Co, both with a narrow distribution. The fine particle size is believed to accounts for excellent high-drain properties, while minimizing the need for conductive additives. The narrow distribution facilitates the electrode manufacturing process and ensures a homogeneous current distribution within the battery.