A NOVEL RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM COMPOSITE CATHODE SYSTEM

A new type of rechargeable lithium cell is under development which con sists of the lithium salt of a sulfur oxy-acid and a transition metal oxide. The selection, composition and thermal history of the starting oxides and the incorporation of the lithium salt are crucial factors w hich govern cell performance. A high energy has been demonstrated and shown to be commensurate with the higher ratio of lithium to metal oxi de which can be intercalated and deintercalated in comparison with sta te-of-the-art cathode systems based on cobalt, nickel and manganese ox ides. A model of the cell chemistry changes which take place on cyclin g is proposed and discussed.