Intercalation compounds for batteries and other devices

Abstract

Solid battery components are provided. A block copolymeric electrolyte is non-crosslinked and non-glassy through the entire range of typical battery service temperatures, that is, through the entire range of at least from about 0° C. to about 70° C. The chains of which the copolymer is made each include at least one ionically-conductive block and at least one second block immiscible with the ionically-conductive block. The chains form an amorphous association and are arranged in an ordered nanostructure including a continuous matrix of amorphous ionically-conductive domains and amorphous second domains that are immiscible with the ionically-conductive domains. A compound is provided that has a formula of Li x M y N z O 2 . M and N are each metal atoms or a main group elements, and x, y and z are each numbers from about 0 to about 1. y and z are chosen such that a formal charge on the M y Nportion of the compound is (4−x). In certain embodiments, these compounds are used in the cathodes of rechargeable batteries. The present invention also includes methods of predicting the potential utility of metal dichalgogenide compounds for use in lithium intercalation compounds. It also provides methods for processing lithium intercalation oxides with the structure and compositional homogeneity necessary to realize the increased formation energies of said compounds. An article is made of a dimensionally-stable, interpenetrating microstructure of a first phase including a first component and a second phase, immiscible with the first phase, including a second component. The first and second phases define interphase boundaries between them, and at least one particle is positioned between a first phase and a second phase at an interphase boundary. When the first and second phases are electronically-conductive and ionically-conductive polymers, respectively, and the particles are ion host particles, the arrangement is an electrode of a battery.

1 . A composition of matter, comprising a compound having a formula Li X M y N Z O 2 , wherein M is a metal atom or a main group element, N is a metal atom or a main group element, x, y and z are all numbers in the range of >0 to about 1, and y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N Z  portion of the compound is (4−x), provided that where one of M or N is Ni the other may not be Al, B or Sn, and further provided that where one of M or N is Co the other may not be Al, B, Sn, In, Si, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ti or P,
 wherein the composition has a formula of LiM 1−Y Al y O 2 , wherein the compound has an α—NaFeO 2  structure, for which the parent compound LiMO 2  does not form the α—NaFeO 2  structure as a pure material.   
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , in which M is Mn. 
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein Li X Mn 1−y Al Y O 2  is an orthorhombic structure and wherein y is nonzero. 
     
     
         4 . A composition having a formula:
 Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is a metal atom or a main group element, N is a metal atom or a main group element, x is a number from about 0 to about 1, y is a number from about 0 to about 1, z is a number from about 0 to about 1, y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N z  portion of the compound is (4−x), and each oxygen atom of the compound has at least about 20% p-level characteristic at a Fermi energy of the compound as measured according to a pseudo potential technique.   
     
     
         5 . A composition having a formula:
 Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is a metal atom or a main group element, N is a metal atom or a main group element, x is a number from about 0 to about 1, y is a number from about 0 to about 1, z is a number from about 0 to about 1, y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N z  portion of the compound is (4−x), and having a charging voltage of at least about 2.5 V.   
     
     
         6 . A composition having a formula:
 Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is a metal atom or a main group element, N is a metal atom or a main group element, x is a number from about 0 to about 1, y is a number from about 0 to about 1, z is a number from about 0 to about 1, y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N z  portion of the compound is (4−x), which crystallizes in the α—NaFeO 2 , the orthorhombic LiMnO 2  or the tetragonal spinel Li 2 Mn 2 O 4  structure.   
     
     
         7 . A battery, comprising:
 a first component comprising a composition having a formula Li x M y N z O 2 , wherein M is Mn, N is Al, x is a number from about 0 to about 1, y is a number from about 0 to about 1, z is a number from about 0 to about 1, y and z are such that a formal charge on a M y N z  portion of the compound is (4−x), which crystallizes in the α−NaFeO 2  or the orthorhombic LiMnO 2  structure;   an electrically conductive material in electrical communication with the first component; and   a lithium ion conductive, dimensionally supportive matrix positioned to allow lithium ion communication with the first component.