Active material for lithium batteries

Abstract

An active material of formula LiCu 1+x PO4(0≦x≦1) which could be used as cathode material in lithium primary and secondary batteries.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An active material for batteries comprising a meterial expressed by formula LiCu 1 +xPO4(O′x 51 ).  
     
     
         2 . The active material in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the structure is orthorhombic for  0 . 5 <xsl.  
     
     
         3 . The active material in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the unit cell parameter of the orthorhombic cell are: a= 5 . 31 A + 0 . 5 A, b= 13 . 43 A 0 . 5 A and c= 4 . 91 A 0 +. 5 A*.  
     
     
         4 . A method of preparing the active material comprising the steps of: 
 mixing and pressing ground Li 2 CO 3 , CuO and (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4  at  400 kgf/cm 2   50  kgf/cm 2  ; and    heating the mixture in at least two steps at  450 ° C + 50 ° C and then at  800 ° C + 100 ° C to produce an active material comprising a meterial expressed by formula LiCu,+,PO4(Osxsl).    
     
     
         5 . An electrode comprising an active material comprising a meterial expressed by formula LiCu,+,PO4( 0 :xsl).  
     
     
         6 . The electrode in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the structure is orthorhombic for  0 . 5 <xsl.  
     
     
         7 . The electrode in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the unit cell parameter of the orthorhombic cell are: a= 5 . 31 A  5 A, b= 13 . 43 K 0 . 5 A and c= 4 . 9 lA 10 . 5 A.  
     
     
         8 . A cell comprising: 
 a positive active material comprising a meterial expressed by formula LiCu,+,PO4(Osxsl);    an electrolyte; and    a negative active material which is at least one of Li, Li-alloy, LixSnO 2 , carbon and/or graphite materials.    
     
     
         9 . The cell in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the structure is orthorhombic for  0 . 5 <x 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The cell in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the unit cell parameter of the orthorhombic cell are: a= 5 . 31 A 0  + 0 . 5 A, b= 13 . 43 AK 0 . 5 A and c= 4 . 9 lA 10 . 5 A.