Patent ID: 6207129
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: C01G,C01P,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for making lithiated manganese oxide, the method comprising:blending a lithium compound and chemically made amorphous MnO.sub.2 which includes alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of sodium ions, potassium ions and mixtures thereof to obtain a lithium compound blend, the ratio of said alkali metal ions to manganese in the amorphous manganese dioxide being from about 0.4 to about 0.8;ion exchanging said alkali metal ions for lithium ions in the MnO.sub.2 which is in the lithium compound blend at a temperature of from about 5.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. to obtain an ion replaced product, the lithium compound blend having more lithium ions from the lithium compound than said alkali metal ions such that after the exchange, the ion replaced product has at least about 0.4 moles Li per mole Mn;separating the ion exchanged product from said alkali metal ions which have been removed from the amorphous manganese dioxide; andheating the ion replaced product at a temperature of of from about 300.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. for a time effective to provide a lithiated manganese oxide spinel having the formula Li.sub.1+x Mn.sub.2-y O.sub.4 where x is greater than about -0.11 and less than about +0.33, and y is from about 0 to about 0.33.