PREPARATION OF LITHIUM-CONTAINING MATERIALS

摘要

The invention provides novel lithium-mixed metal materials which, upon electrochemical interaction, release lithium ions, and are capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions and a method of making such materials. The disclosed method comprises a method of making a lithium mixed metal compound by reaction of starting material which comprises mixing starting materials in particle form with a volatile solvent or binder to form a wet mixture. The starting materials comprise at least one metal containing compound, a lithium compound having a melting point greater than 450.degree.C, and carbon, where said carbon is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the oxidation state of at least one metal ion of said starting materials without full reduction to an elemental state. The method comprises heating said wet mixture in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to form a reaction product which comprises lithium and said reduced metal ion.