COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING THE SAME
Compositions and processes of for forming the same are described. In some embodiments, the compositions include lithium-based compounds which may be used as electrode materials in electrochemical cells including batteries.
1 . A method comprising:
reacting a first precursor with a second precursor to form a partially reacted composition; and
processing the partially reacted composition using a milling step.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising further reacting the partially reacted composition to form a final composition.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the final composition is a lithium-based compound.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the milling step reduces the particle size of the partially reacted composition to an average particle size of less than 500 nm.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the milling step reduces the particle size of the partially reacted composition to an average particle size of less than 100 nm.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the milling step reduces the particle size of the partially reacted composition to an average particle size of less than 50 nm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the milling step produces a milled composition having a desired phase.
8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the final composition is a lithium iron phosphate.
9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the final composition includes greater than 20% by weight of an impurity phase.
10 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the final composition includes greater than 40% by weight of an impurity phase.
11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the final composition includes greater than 60% by weight of an impurity phase.