High voltage insertion compounds for lithium batteries
AssigneeMoli Energy (1990) Limited
InventorsQiming Zhong, Arman Bonakdarpour
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Abstract
Insertion compounds having the formula Li.sub.x+y M.sub.z Mn.sub.2-y-z O.sub.4 wherein the crystal structure is spinel-like, M is a transition metal, 0.ltoreq.x<1, 0.ltoreq.y<0.33, and 0<z< about 1, can reversibly insert significant amounts of lithium at potentials greater than about 4.5 volts versus Li/Li.sup.+. In particular, M can be Ni or Cr. The reversible amount of lithium at such voltages can be greater for greater values of z. Such insertion compounds are suitable cathode materials for high voltage lithium batteries.
Claims19
A lithium insertion compound having the formula Li.sub.x+y M.sub.z Mn.sub.2-y-z O.sub.4 wherein the insertion compound has a spinel-like crystal structure, M is a transition metal, x is a number greater than or equal to zero and less than 1, y is a number greater than or equal to zero and less than 0.33, z is a number greater than zero and less than about 1, and the potential of the lithium insertion compound is greater than about 4.5 volts versus Li/Li.sup.+.
A lithium battery comprising a lithium compound anode;
- an electrolyte comprising a solvent and a lithium salt;
- and a cathode comprising a lithium insertion compound having the formula Li.sub.x+y M.sub.z Mn.sub.2-y-z O.sub.4 wherein the lithium insertion compound has a spinel-like crystal structure, M is a transition metal, x is a number greater than or equal to zero and less than 1, y is a number greater than or equal to zero and less than 0.33, z is a number greater than zero and less than about 1, and the potential of the lithium insertion compound is greater than about 4.5 volts versus Li/Li.sup.+.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.