Processes for producing LiMXO4 and products thereof

A process for producing LiMXO4,

• wherein M is a transition metal with a degree of oxidation of 2+ chosen from Fe2+, Mn2+ and mixtures thereof, unsubstituted or partially substituted on iron or manganese sites by one or more additional metal(s) with a degree of oxidation of 1+ to 5+, and X is P5+, unsubstituted or partially substituted by an oxyanion forming element,
• the process comprising the steps of:
• a) providing a source of lithium, a source of M, and a source of X,
• b) reacting the source of lithium, the source of M, and the source of X together:
• i. in a melted state at a reaction temperature between 900 to 1450° C.,
• ii. in the presence of an excess of:
• (A) a solid-solid reducing couple having an oxygen partial pressure at equilibrium (pO2) comprised between 10−8 and 10−15 atm at said reaction temperature according to an Ellingham-Richardson diagram for oxides, or
• (B) one component of said solid-solid reducing couple together with a gas-gas reducing couple having an oxygen partial pressure at equilibrium (pO2) comprised between 10−8 and 10−15 atm at said reaction temperature according to an Ellingham-Richardson diagram for oxides, and
• iii. under thermic equilibrium and thermodynamic equilibrium,
• thereby producing molten LiMXO4,
• c) isolating the LiMXO4 from the reducing couple,
• d) solidifying the LiMXO4, and
• wherein step c) is carried out before and/or after step d).