ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES

Despite the development of several lithium-insertion compounds as cath odes over the years, the commercialization of rechargeable lithium bat teries has been hindered mainly by the poor cyclability of metallic li thium anode. One way to circumvent this problem is to use an insertion compound as an anode as well. This strategy involves a development of lithium-insertion host pairs with a well separated work functions so that an acceptable cell voltage can be realized. A novel low-temperatu re route involving. the reduction of ore-ions (MO4)(n-) (M = V, Mo or Mn) in aqueous solutions by alkali metal borohydrides at ambient tempe ratures has been developed to obtain amorphous or nanocrystalline tran sition metal oxide electrodes. The electrochemical performances of nan ocrystalline VO2, amorphous MoO2, as well as a fine-particle LixMn3-xO 4 spinel oxide are discussed.