Lithium-Manganese oxide electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery

• US 5,601,952 A
• Filed: 05/24/1995
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electrovaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electrofuel, Inc.
• Inventors: Dasgupta, Sankar, Jacobs, James K.
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/448,768
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 429/224, 423/599, 423/605
• US Class Current: 429/224
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 45/1221 Manganates or manganites with a manganese oxidation state of Mn(III), Mn(IV) or mixtures thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/72 by d-values or two theta-values, e.g. as X-ray diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2006/40 Electric properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/05 Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte H01M10/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/505 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing manganese for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiMn2O4 or LiMn2OxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/625 Carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The preparation of amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound is described having lithium to manganese ratio between 0.4 and 1.5 and particle size less than 5 μm. The amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound is to be utilized in a non-aqueous rechargeable lithium battery.

Claims

1. An amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound for incorporation in the positive electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery comprising lithium oxide and manganese dioxide as a chemical compound containing lithium and manganese such that the atomic ratio Li:

Mn has a value between 0.4-1.5, said lithium manganese oxide compound having average particle size less than 5 μ

m.

2. An amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound for incorporation in the positive electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising particles of fine carbon intermixed with said amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound in less than 12 vol %.

3. An amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound for incorporation in the positive electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the characteristic X-ray diffraction peak of said lithium-manganese oxide compound is greater than twice the height of said characteristic X-ray diffraction peak.

4. An amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound for incorporation in the positive electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery as claimed in claim 1, containing less than 10 vol. % crystalline lithium-manganese oxide compound formed in the course of preparation of said amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound.

5. A rechargeable non-aqueous lithium battery comprising:

i) a battery housing;

ii) a negative electrode comprising elemental lithium;

iii) a lithium ion containing non-aqueous electrolyte, selected from the group consisting of;

a lithium ion containing solid polymer laminate, a microporous polymer laminate impregnated with a lithium ion containing organic liquid and particles of a lithium ion containing solid polymer;

iv) a positive electrode comprising particles of an amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound containing lithium and manganese such that the atomic ratio Li;

Mn is greater than 0.4 in the charged state of said rechargeable non-aqueous lithium battery and said atomic ratio is less than 1.5 in the discharged state of said rechargeable non-aqueous lithium battery, said amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound having average particle size less than 5 μ

m; and

v) a pair of charge collector means, one of said pair of charge collector means being in contact with said negative electrode and the other of said charge collector means being in contact with said positive electrode.

6. A rechargeable non-aqueous lithium battery as claimed in claim 5, wherein said positive electrode further comprises particles of fine carbon intermixed with said particles of amorphous lithium-manganese oxide compound in less than 12 vol %.