Preparation of electrode compositions

Abstract

The invention relates to processes for the preparation of electrode compositions, especially those intended for use in supercapacitors. A process is provided for preparing lithium sulphite comprising the steps of:—a) introducing HSO(aq) into a reaction vessel; b) reacting the HSO(aq) with an aqueous suspension of LiCOin the vessel to form an aqueous solution of Li—CO; and c) evaporating the solution to recover LiCO(s), wherein at least steps a) and b) are conducted under an inert atmosphere. Preferably, in step b) HSO(aq) and LiCO(aq) are reacted with each other in substantially equimolar amounts. There is also provided a process for forming an electrode material comprising a complexing step of causing lithium sulphite to form SOcomplexes at active N sites of a nitrogen-carbon structure, in the presence of a selected amount of a sink that absorbs the liberated lithium, so as to form the N:SOcomplexed electrode material. Preferably, the nitrogen-carbon structure is thermally restructured polyacrylonitrile (TR-PAN) or a copolymer thereof.