David T Fouchard

US Patent:

57502889, May 12, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/538252

Inventors:

Like Xie - Madison WI
David T. Fouchard - Madison WI
Walter B. Ebner - Gastonia NC
El-Sayed Megahed - Madison WI

Assignee:

Rayovac Corporation - Madison WI

International Classification:

H01M 402

US Classification:

429229

Abstract:

The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, and more particularly to secondary lithium intercalation cells. Nickel is employed as a component "M" in an active cathode material represented by the formula Li. sub. x M. sub. y O. sub. z, where "x" and "y" are generally about 1, and "z" is generally about 2. In the present invention "M. sub. y " is divided into two components, a first major component of nickel, corresponding to at least 70% of "M. sub. y," and a second minor component comprising at least one of a non-transition metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, tin, and zinc, and in some embodiments at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of scandium and the Period 5 metals having atomic numbers between 39 and 42. A two-stage reaction process for making the compounds of the active cathode materials of the present invention is described.