Described herein are acidified metal oxide (“AMO”) materials useful in applications such as a battery electrode or photovoltaic component, in which the AMO material is used in conjunction with one or more acidic species. Advantageously, batteries constructed of AMO materials and incorporating acidic species, such as in the electrode or electrolyte components of the battery exhibit improved capacity as compared to a corresponding battery lacking the acidic species.

An electrode comprises carbon nanoparticles and at least one of metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles. A surfactant attaches the carbon nanoparticles and the metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles to form an electrode composition. A binder binds the electrode composition such that it can be formed into a film or membrane. The electrode has a specific capacity of at least 450 mAh/g of active material when cycled at a charge/discharge rate of about 0.1 C.

An electrode comprises carbon nanoparticles and at least one of metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles. A surfactant attaches the carbon nanoparticles and the metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles to form an electrode composition. A binder binds the electrode composition such that it can be formed into a film or membrane. The electrode has a specific capacity of at least 450 mAh/g of active material when cycled at a charge/discharge rate of about 0.1 C.

An electrode for a secondary battery includes a plurality of active material particles. A length of each of the active material particles in a first direction along a thickness direction of the electrode is larger than a length of the active material particle in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

The present invention provides a positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, having a novel overcharge protective function. The positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention includes a positive electrode active material layer including a plurality of positive electrode active material particles, wherein the positive electrode active material layer comprises: a carbonaceous coating film formed on a surface of each of the positive electrode active material particles; and 0% by weight or more and 20% by weight or less of a conductive auxiliary agent disposed between the plurality of positive electrode active material particles, and at least one of the carbonaceous coating film and the conductive auxiliary agent is graphitizable carbon.

Process for making a mixed oxide according to the formula Li.sub.1+xTM.sub.1−xO.sub.2 wherein x is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.2 and TM is a combination of elements according to general formula (I) (Ni.sub.aCo.sub.bMn.sub.c).sub.1-dM.sup.1.sub.d (I) wherein a is in the range of from 0.30 to 0.38, b being in the range of from zero to 0.05, c being in the range of from 0.60 to 0.70, and d being in the range of from zero to 0.05, M.sup.1 is selected from Al, Ti, Zr, W, Mo, Nb, Ta, Mg and combinations of at least two of the forego-ing, a+b+c=1, said process comprising the following steps: (a) providing a particulate hydroxide, oxide or oxyhydroxide of manganese, nickel, and, optionally, at least one of Co and M.sup.1, (b) adding a source of lithium, (c) calcining the mixture obtained from step (b) thermally under an atmosphere comprising 0.05 to 5 vol.-% of oxygen at a maximum temperature the range of from 650 to 1000° C.

Process for making a mixed oxide according to the formula Li.sub.1+xTM.sub.1−xO.sub.2 wherein x is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.2 and TM is a combination of elements according to general formula (I) (Ni.sub.aCo.sub.bMn.sub.c).sub.1-dM.sup.1.sub.d (I) wherein a is in the range of from 0.30 to 0.38, b being in the range of from zero to 0.05, c being in the range of from 0.60 to 0.70, and d being in the range of from zero to 0.05, M.sup.1 is selected from Al, Ti, Zr, W, Mo, Nb, Ta, Mg and combinations of at least two of the forego-ing, a+b+c=1, said process comprising the following steps: (a) providing a particulate hydroxide, oxide or oxyhydroxide of manganese, nickel, and, optionally, at least one of Co and M.sup.1, (b) adding a source of lithium, (c) calcining the mixture obtained from step (b) thermally under an atmosphere comprising 0.05 to 5 vol.-% of oxygen at a maximum temperature the range of from 650 to 1000° C.

A battery comprising an acidified metal oxide (“AMO”) material, preferably in monodispersed nanoparticulate form 20 nm or less in size, having a pH<7 when suspended in a 5 wt % aqueous solution and a Hammett function H.sub.0>−12, at least on its surface.

Provided are processes for the production of particles for use as a precursor material for synthesis of Li-ion cathode active material of a lithium-ion cell comprising: a non-lithiated nickel oxide particle of the formula MO.sub.x wherein M comprises 80 at % Ni or greater and wherein x is 0.7 to 1.2, M optionally excluding boron in the MO.sub.x crystal structure; and a modifier oxide intermixed with, coated on, present within, or combinations thereof the non-lithiated nickel oxide particle, wherein the modifier oxide is associated with the non-lithiated nickel oxide such that a calcination at 500 degrees Celsius for 2 hours results in crystallite growth measured by XRD of 2 nanometers or less.

Provided are processes for the production of particles for use as a precursor material for synthesis of Li-ion cathode active material of a lithium-ion cell comprising: a non-lithiated nickel oxide particle of the formula MO.sub.x wherein M comprises 80 at % Ni or greater and wherein x is 0.7 to 1.2, M optionally excluding boron in the MO.sub.x crystal structure; and a modifier oxide intermixed with, coated on, present within, or combinations thereof the non-lithiated nickel oxide particle, wherein the modifier oxide is associated with the non-lithiated nickel oxide such that a calcination at 500 degrees Celsius for 2 hours results in crystallite growth measured by XRD of 2 nanometers or less.