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A new synthesis route to electrode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries

Conference ·
OSTI ID:472036
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
An increasing demand for light-weight, compact power sources has led to the development of several insertion compounds as cathodes for rechargeable lithium batteries. The battery performance and cyclability of these cathodes are partly influenced by their microstructure, which in turn is controlled by the methods of synthesis and processing used. A novel approach involving the reduction of aqueous alkali metal metallate A{sub x}(MO{sub 4}){sub y} (A = Na or K and M = V, Mo, W or Mn) solutions with aqueous alkali metal borohydrides ABH{sub 4} (A = Na or K) at ambient temperatures has been developed to obtain amorphous or nanocrystalline transition metal oxide electrodes. The electrochemical performance of MoO{sub 2}, MnO{sub 2} and a metastable form of VO{sub 2} obtained by this approach is discussed. In addition, insertion of Li into MnO{sub 2} at ambient temperature followed by heat treatment at moderate temperatures to obtain the high surface area LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel cathode and its battery performance are discussed. This aqueous solution-based approach is inexpensive and has the potential to offer new electrode materials as well.
OSTI ID:
472036
Report Number(s):
CONF-950401--; CNN: Grant DMR-9401999; Grant F-1254
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English