Method of making an alloy

Abstract

A method of making an alloy comprises alloying components comprising: ferrosilicon having a ratio of iron to silicon; and at least one of a metallic element or a metallic compound. The alloy may be used in electrode compositions for lithium ion batteries.

1 . A method of making an alloy, the method comprising alloying components comprising:
 a first ferrosilicon having a first ratio of iron to silicon; and   at least one of a metallic element or a metallic compound, wherein the alloy is substantially free of crystallites greater than 50 nanometers in size.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metallic element or metallic compound comprises at least one of carbon, tin, titanium, zinc, iron, or silicon. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy is amorphous. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein alloying comprises milling using milling media. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises tin, iron, and silicon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy comprises tin, iron, and carbon. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic compound comprises a second ferrosilicon having a second ratio of iron to silicon, and wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are different. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the components further comprise tin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the components further comprise titanium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy is adapted for use as an active material in a negative electrode composition in a lithium ion battery. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said metallic element or metallic compound comprises at least one of carbon, tin, titanium, zinc, iron, or silicon. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy is amorphous. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein alloying comprises milling using milling media. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy comprises tin, iron, and silicon. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the alloy comprises tin, iron, and carbon. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the components further comprise a second ferrosilicon having a second ratio of iron to silicon, and wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are different. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the components further comprise tin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the components further comprise titanium.