Processes for delithiating transition metal oxides

A chemical process of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition, wherein the process comprising:

• providing an electrochemically active composition defined by a formula of LixMO2 where M is optionally one or more metals, transition metals, rare earth metals or combinations thereof, and x is a first Li/M at % ratio of 0.8 to 1.3;
• and
• combining the electrochemically active composition with a strong oxidizer for a lithium removal time,
• wherein the lithium removal time is such that a second Li/M at % ratio following the lithium removal time is 0.6 or less, thereby forming a delithiated electrochemically active composition;
• and
• wherein the electrochemically active composition comprises Li, Ni, O, and one or more additives.

A chemical process of removing lithium from an electrochemically active composition, wherein the process comprising:

• providing an electrochemically active composition defined by a formula of LixMO2 where M is optionally one or more metals, transition metals, rare earth metals or combinations thereof, and x is a first Li/M at % ratio of 0.8 to 1.3;
• and
• combining the electrochemically active composition with a strong oxidizer for a lithium removal time, wherein the step of combining is in the presence of a strong acid, wherein the strong acid is HCl,
• wherein the lithium removal time is such that a second Li/M at % ratio following the lithium removal time is 0.6 or less, thereby forming a delithiated electrochemically active composition.