Patent ID: 7494744

Claim:
A method for forming a cathode material for a lithium-ion battery, comprising the steps of a) providing a crystalline lithium transition metal oxide, b) providing starting chemicals of Li:Fe:P:C in a molar ratio of 1:1:1:2, c) combining and milling the materials of a) and b) so as to form a mixture of the materials of a) and b) in particulate form, d) heating the material of step c) to form a cathode material having a defective crystalline structure of crystalline Li Fe (1−x) M x P (1−x) O 2(2−x) or Li (1−x/2) M x Fe (1−x) P (1−x) O 2(2−x) , wherein 0.01 ≦x ≦0.3, M is one or more elements selected from the group of metals consisting of nickel, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and aluminum, and said heating is carried out in a vessel in air; and surfaces of the material facing the air are covered by a layer of inert blanket which is porous that allows air permeation and escaping gases caused by said heating.