PARTICULATE ANODE MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION

摘要

A method for preparing a particulate material comprising particles of an element of group IVa an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof the method comprising: (a) dry grinding particles from an ingot of an element of group IVa an oxide thereof or an alloy thereof to obtain micrometer size particles; and (b) wet grinding the micrometer particles dispersed in a solvent carrier to obtain nanometer size particles having a size between 10 to 100 nanometers optionally a stabilizing agent is added during or after the wet grinding. The method can comprise a further step of (c) drying the nanometer size particles. Also the method can comprise the steps of: (d) mixing the nanometer size particles with a carbon precursor; and (e) pyrolysing the mixture thereby forming a coat of conductive carbon on at least part of the surface of the particles. The particulate material can be used in the fabrication of an anode in an electrochemical cell or an electrochemical storage energy apparatus.