Lithium-ion secondary battery

Abstract

A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y2 ) 2−x2 O z1 or Li (1+x1) Mn 2 O z1 . The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.9:0.1 to about 0.6:0.4. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . An active cathode material, comprising a mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a  where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1; and 
   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium and nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni 1−z3 M′ z3 O 2 , where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. 
   
     
     
         30 . The active cathode material of  claim 29 , wherein x5 is equal to zero. 
     
     
         31 . The active cathode material of  claim 30 , wherein the lithium cobaltate has the empirical formula of LiCoO 2 . 
     
     
         32 . The active cathode material of  claim 30 , wherein a lithium nickelate of the active cathode material is Li(Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 . 
     
     
         33 . The active cathode material of  claim 32 , further including a manganate spinel having a formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y2 ) 2−x2 O z1 , where
 x1 is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 y1 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 z1 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.1, and 
 A′ is at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and chromium. 
 
     
     
         34 . The active cathode material of  claim 33 , wherein the active cathode material includes the lithium cobaltate, and wherein the ratio of Li(Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 :Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y1 ) (2−x1) O z1 :lithium cobaltate is between about 0.05 and about 0.8:between 0.3 and about 0.7:between about 0.05 and about 0.8. 
     
     
         35 . The active cathode material of  claim 30 , wherein the active cathode includes the lithium cobaltate, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound. 
     
     
         36 . The active cathode material of  claim 30  including a manganate spinel having a formula of Li (1+x7) Mn (2−y7) O z7 , where x7 and y7 are each independently equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 1.0, and z7 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.2. 
     
     
         37 . A lithium-ion battery comprising an active cathode material having a mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1; and 
   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium, nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni 1−z3 M′ z3 O 2  where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. 
   
     
     
         38 . A battery pack comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of the cells includes an active cathode material including a cathode mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1; and 
   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium, nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni 1−z3 M′ z3 O 2  where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium. 
   
     
     
         39 . The battery pack of  claim 38 , wherein the cells are in series and no cells are connected in parallel. 
     
     
         40 . An active cathode material, comprising a mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni 1−z3 M′ z3 O 2  where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium; and   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium and nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a  where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1. 
 
   
     
     
         41 . A lithium ion battery comprising a active cathode material having a mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni 1−z3 M′ z3 O 2  where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium; and   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium, nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1. 
 
   
     
     
         42 . A battery pack comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of the cells includes an active cathode material including a cathode mixture that includes:
 a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x3 Ni (1−z3) M′ z3 O 2  where 0.05<x3<1.2 and 0<z3<0.5 and M′ is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, aluminum, boron, titanium, magnesium, calcium and strontium; and   b) at least one of
 i) a lithium cobaltate that optionally includes a modifier of at least one of the lithium and cobalt atoms, wherein the lithium modifier is at least one of magnesium and sodium, and the cobalt modifier is at least one of magnesium, sodium, aluminum, manganese, boron, titanium, nickel, and at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, and 
 ii) a lithium nickelate represented by the empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is equal to or greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than about 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium, and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than 2.1. 
 
   
     
     
         43 . The battery pack of  claim 42 , wherein the cells are in series and no cells are connected in parallel. 
     
     
         44 . The battery pack of  claim 42 , wherein each cell is individually controlled and monitored. 
     
     
         45 . An active cathode material, comprising a mixture that includes:
 i) a) at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate, wherein the lithium cobaltate is a modified lithium cobaltate with a lithium modifier of the lithium cobaltate, and wherein the lithium modifier is at least one member selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na), and wherein the lithium nickelate is represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a  where:
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3; 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2; 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron; and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, wherein the manganate spinel is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y2 ) 2−x2 O z1  where:
 x1 is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.3; 
 y1 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.3; 
 z1 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.1; and 
 A′ is at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and chromium, 
    and wherein the olivine compound is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4  where:
 x2 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2; and 
 M is at least one member of the group consisting of iron, manganese, cobalt and magnesium; and 
 A″ is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nickel and niobium; or 
   ii) a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a  where:
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3; 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2; 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron; and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li (i+x7) Mn (2−y7) O z7  where x7 and y7 are each independently equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 1.0, and z7 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.2.   
     
     
         46 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , wherein the lithium cobaltate further includes a cobalt modifier, wherein the cobalt modifier includes at least one member of the group consisting of manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), boron (B), titanium (Ti), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr). 
     
     
         47 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , wherein the lithium nickelate is coated with LiCoO 2 . 
     
     
         48 . The active cathode material of  claim 47 , where in the coating is a gradient coating or a spot-wise coating. 
     
     
         49 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , wherein the manganate spinel is Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y2 ) 2−x2 O z1 , wherein x 1 , y 1  and z 1  are as defined in  claim 45 . 
     
     
         50 . The active cathode material of  claim 49 , wherein a ratio of lithium-cobaltate:manganate spinel:lithium nickelate is in a ratio of between about 0.05 and about 0.3:between about 0.05 and about 0.30:between about 0.4 and about 0.9. 
     
     
         51 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , wherein the lithium nickelate is Li 0.97 Mg 0.03 Ni 0.9 Co 0.1 O 2 . 
     
     
         52 . The active cathode material of  claim 51 , wherein the lithium nickelate is coated with LiCoO 2 . 
     
     
         53 . The active cathode material of  claim 52 , including the manganate spinel. 
     
     
         54 . The active cathode material of  claim 53 , wherein the ratio of lithium nickelate-to-manganate spinel is between about 0.9:0.1 and about 0.3:0.7. 
     
     
         55 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , including at least two lithium nickelates and the manganate spinel. 
     
     
         56 . The active cathode material of  claim 55 , wherein the lithium nickelate and manganate spinel are in a ratio of lithium nickelate:manganate spinel of between about 0.05 and 0.8:between about 0.05 and about 0.9. 
     
     
         57 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , including the lithium nickelate and the olivine compound having the formula of Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4 , wherein x 2  is as defined in  claim 45 , and where M is iron or manganese. 
     
     
         58 . The active cathode material of  claim 57 , wherein the lithium nickelate and olivine compound are in a ratio of lithium nickelate:olivine compound between about 0.9:0.1 and about 0.5:0.5. 
     
     
         59 . The active cathode material of  claim 57 , including at least two lithium nickelates and the olivine compound having the formula Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4 , where M is iron or manganese. 
     
     
         60 . The active cathode material of  claim 59 , wherein the olivine compound is coated with carbon. 
     
     
         61 . The active cathode material of  claim 60 , wherein the lithium nickelate and olivine compound are in a ratio of lithium nickelate:olivine compound between about 0.05 and about 0.9:between about 0.05 and 0.9. 
     
     
         62 . The active cathode material of  claim 59 , wherein the olivine compound is at least one of LiFePO 4  and LiMnPO 4 . 
     
     
         63 . The active cathode material of  claim 62 , wherein one of the lithium nickelates is represented by Li(Ni 1/3 CO 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 , and another lithium nickelate is represented by Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , wherein x 4 , x 5 , y 4  and z 4  are as defined in  claim 45 . 
     
     
         64 . The active cathode material of  claim 63 , wherein the ratio of Li(Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 :Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a :olivine compound is in a range of between about 0.05 and about 0.8:between about 0.05 and about 0.7:between about 0.05 and about 0.9. 
     
     
         65 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , including the manganate spinel, the lithium nickelate and the olivine compound. 
     
     
         66 . The active cathode material of  claim 65 , wherein the ratio of manganate spinel:olivine compound:lithium nickelate is between about 0.05-0.9:about 0.05-0.9:about 0.05-0.9. 
     
     
         67 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , further including a lithium nickelate having the formula Li(Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 . 
     
     
         68 . The active cathode material of  claim 67 , wherein the ratio of Li((Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 )O 2 :Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a  is between 0.7:0.3 to about 0.3:0.7. 
     
     
         69 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , including the lithium nickelate, the lithium cobaltate and the olivine compound. 
     
     
         70 . The active cathode material of  claim 69 , wherein the ratio of lithium cobaltate:olivine compound:lithium nickelate is in a ratio of between about 0.05 and about 0.3:between about 0.05 and about 0.3:between about 0.4 and about 0.9. 
     
     
         71 . The active cathode material of  claim 45 , including both the lithium cobaltate and the lithium nickelate. 
     
     
         72 . A lithium-ion battery having a cathode that includes an active cathode material, the active cathode material comprising a cathode mixture that includes:
 i) a) at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate, wherein the lithium cobaltate is a modified lithium cobaltate with a lithium modifier of the lithium cobaltate, and wherein the lithium modifier is at least one member selected from the group consisting of magnesium and sodium, and wherein the lithium nickelate is represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, wherein the manganate spinel is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y1 ) 2−x1 O z1 , where
 x1 is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 y1 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 z1 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.1, and 
 A′ is at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and chromium, and 
    wherein the olivine compound is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4  where
 x2 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 M is at least one member of the group consisting of iron, manganese, cobalt and magnesium, and 
 A″ is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nickel and niobium, or 
   ii) a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li (1−x7) Mn (2−y7) O z7  where x7 and y7 are each independently equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 1.0, and z7 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.2.   
     
     
         73 . A method of forming a lithium-ion battery, comprising the step of forming an active cathode material including a cathode mixture that includes:
 i) a) at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate, wherein the lithium cobaltate is a modified lithium cobaltate with a lithium modifier of the lithium cobaltate, and wherein the lithium modifier is at least one member selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na), and wherein the lithium nickelate is represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, wherein the manganate spinel is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y1 ) 2−x1 O z1 , where
 x1 is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 y1 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 z1 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.1, and 
 A′ is at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and chromium, and 
   wherein the olivine compound is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4  where
 x2 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 M is at least one member of the group consisting of iron, manganese, cobalt and magnesium, and 
 A″ is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nickel and niobium, or 
   ii) a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x7) Mn (2−y7) O z7  where x7 and y7 are each independently equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 1.0, and z7 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.2;   iii) forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and   iv) forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode electrode via an electrolyte, thereby forming a lithium-ion battery.   
     
     
         74 . A battery pack comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of the cells includes an active cathode material including a cathode mixture that includes:
 i) a) at least one of a lithium cobaltate and a lithium nickelate, wherein the lithium cobaltate is a modified lithium cobaltate with a lithium modifier of the lithium cobaltate, and wherein the lithium modifier is at least one member selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na), and wherein the lithium nickelate is represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1, and 
    b) at least one of a manganate spinel and an olivine compound, wherein the manganate spinel is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x1) (Mn 1−y1 A′ y1 ) 2−x1 O z1 , where
 x1 is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 y1 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.3, 
 z1 is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.1, and 
 A′ is at least one member of the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and chromium, and 
   wherein the olivine compound is represented by an empirical formula of Li (1−x2) A″ x2 MPO 4  where:
 x2 is equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2; and 
 M is at least one member of the group consisting of iron, manganese, cobalt and magnesium; and 
 A″ is at least one member of the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nickel and niobium; or 
   ii) a) a lithium nickelate represented by an empirical formula of Li x4 A* x5 Ni (1−y4−z4) Co y4 Q z4 O a , where
 x4 is greater than 0.1 and less than 1.3, 
 x5 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 y4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 z4 is greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 0.2, 
 A* is at least one member of the group consisting of barium, magnesium and calcium, 
 Q is at least one member of the group consisting of aluminum, manganese and boron, and 
 a is greater than about 1.5 and less than about 2.1; and 
    b) a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li (1+x7) Mn (2−y7) O z7  where x7 and y7 are each independently equal to or greater than 0.0 and equal to or less than 1.0, and z 7  is equal to or greater than 3.9 and equal to or less than 4.2.