Solid-phase method for the manufacture of a cathode active material

Abstract

A solid-phase method for the manufacture of a cathode active material includes combining a metallic feedstock with an alkali metal source to form a reaction mixture. The metallic feedstock includes elemental transition metals. The method further includes heating the reaction mixture to induce oxidation of the metallic feedstock and provide a calcined mixture, and forming the cathode active material from the calcined mixture. The method simplifies the typical process by which cathode active materials are made, directly using metal or alloy starting materials to provide cathode active material with improved electrochemical properties. Electrochemical cells including the cathode active materials described herein are also described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.