SPINAL ANODES FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Anodes of Li4Mn5O12, Li4Ti5O12, and Li2Mn4O9 with a spinel-type struct ure have been evaluated in room-temperature lithium cells. The cathode s that were selected for this study were the stabilized spinels, Li1.0 3Mn1.97O4 and LiZn0.025Mn1.95O4, and layered LiCoO2. The electrochemic al data demonstrated that Li+ ions will shuttle between two transition -metal host structures (anode and cathode) at a reasonably high voltag e with a concomitant change in the oxidation state of the transition m etal cations so that the Li+ ions do not reduce to the metallic state at the anode during charge. These cells reduce the safety hazards asso ciated with cells containing metallic-lithium, lithium-alloy, and lith ium-carbon anodes.