Patent ID: 8435677

Claim:
A process for the synthesis of lithium metal phosphate/carbon nanocomposites for use as cathode active materials in rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising: a) impregnating a cellulosic precursor with an activating agent comprising phosphoric acid or a phosphate salt or a phosphate ester, b) heating the impregnated cellulosic precursor to produce a phosphorylated carbon from about 450° C. to about 600° C., c) mixing the phosphorylated carbon with precursor compounds of lithium and transition metals and optionally dopants and compounds containing phosphate that are not precursor compounds of lithium and transition metals, and d) heating the mixture of step c) to produce a nanocomposite of lithium metal phosphate and carbon, wherein at least a portion of the phosphorous for the lithium metal phosphate of the lithium metal phosphate/C composite is of phosphorylated carbon serving as a reaction precursor.