Multiple metal oxide submicron particles

Abstract

Collections of particles comprising multiple a metal oxide can be formed with average particle sizes less than about 500 nm. In some embodiments, the particle collections have particle size distributions such that at least about 95 percent of the particles have a diameter greater than about 40 percent of the average diameter and less than about 160 percent of the average diameter. Also, in further embodiments, the particle collections have particle size distribution such that effectively no particles have a diameter greater than about four times the average diameter of the collection of particles.

1 . A collection of particles comprising a crystalline multiple metal oxide having an average particle diameter less than about 500 nm wherein at least about 95 percent of the particles have a diameter greater than about 40 percent of the average diameter and less than about 160 percent of the average diameter. 
     
     
         2 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein the collection of particles have an average particle diameter less than about 100 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein the collection of particles have an average particle diameter less than about 50 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein at least about 95 percent of the particles have a diameter greater than about 60 percent of the average diameter and less than about 140 percent of the average diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein effectively no particles have a diameter greater than about four times the average diameter of the collection of particles. 
     
     
         6 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises manganese. 
     
     
         7 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises lithium. 
     
     
         8 . The collection of particles of  claim 1  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises vanadium. 
     
     
         9 . A collection of particles comprising a crystalline multiple metal oxide having an average particle diameter less than about 500 nm wherein effectively no particles have a diameter greater than about four times the average diameter of the collection of particles. 
     
     
         10 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the collection of particles have an average particle diameter less than about 100 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the collection of particles have an average particle diameter less than about 50 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises manganese. 
     
     
         13 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises lithium. 
     
     
         14 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the multiple metal oxide comprises vanadium. 
     
     
         15 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein effectively no particles have a diameter greater than about three times the average diameter of the collection of particles. 
     
     
         16 . The collection of particles of  claim 9  wherein the particles comprise lithium metal oxides having a structure selected from the group consisting of Li 2 MnO 3 , Li 0.33 MnO 3 , Li 4 Mn 5 O 12 , tetragonal Li x Mn 2 O 4 , 1.8≦x≦2.2, LiMnO 2 , Li 2 MnO 2 , and λ-MnO 2 .