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AssigneeConocoPhillips Company
InventorsJames B. Kimble, Zhenhua Mao, Edward J. Nanni, Edward G. Latimer
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This invention relates to a process for producing an improved cathode powder for making lithium ion batteries wherein the powder comprises lithium, vanadium and a polyanion. The process includes forming a solution-suspension of the precursors, which include vanadium pentoxide, with a reducing agent, a solvent, and a carbon-residue-forming material. The reducing agent causes the vanadium in vanadium pentoxide to reduce from V5+ to V3+. The solution-suspension is heated in an inert environment to drive the synthesis of the LVP (Li3V2(PO4)3) such that the carbon-residue-forming material is also oxidized to precipitate in and on the LVP forming carbon-containing LVP or CCLVP. The liquids are separated from the solids and the dry powder is heated to a second higher temperature to drive the crystallization of the product. The resulting product retains a small particle size, includes carbon in the LVP for conductivity and is created with very low cost precursors and avoids the need for milling or other processing to reduce the product to a particle size suitable for use in batteries. It also does not require the addition of carbon black, graphite or other form of carbon to provide the conductivity required for use in batteries.
A process for producing a fine lithium cathode battery powder wherein the process comprises the steps of:
A process for producing a fine lithium cathode battery powder wherein the process comprises the steps of:
The process according to claim 20, wherein both steps of heating are performed in an inert atmosphere.
A process for producing a fine lithium cathode battery powder wherein the process comprises the steps of:
The process according to claim 24, wherein the coating comprises between about 1 and 3 weight percent of the solid particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.