Lithium-based compound nanoparticle compositions and methods of forming the same

Abstract

Lithium-based compound small particle compositions, as well as methods and structures associated with the same, are provided. The particle compositions, in some cases, are characterized by having an nano-size particles. The particle compositions may be produced in a milling process. In some embodiments, the particles may be coated with a coating that may enhance certain properties of the particle composition (e.g., electrical conductivity).

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a lithium-based compound particle composition, comprising:
 milling lithium-based compound feed particles to form a composition including lithium-based compound milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm and a contamination level of less than 900 ppm.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the average particle size is less than 50 nm. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium phosphate-based compound. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium oxide-based compound. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium titanate-based compound. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the grinding media have a density of greater than 8 gm/cc. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the grinding media have a size between about 120 microns and 150 microns. 
     
     
         8 . A milled particle composition, comprising:
 milled lithium-based compound particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm and a contamination level of less than 900 ppm.   
     
     
         9 . A method for producing particle compositions, comprising:
 heating a lithium-based compound precursor to form a solid body comprising a lithium-based compound,   processing the solid body to form feed particles comprising the lithium-based compound; and   milling the feed particles to form a composition including lithium-based compound milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm.   
     
     
         10 . A method for producing particle compositions, comprising:
 milling a feed material comprising a lithium-based compound precursor to form a first milled particle composition including milled particles,   forming aggregates including the milled particles;   processing the aggregates to form a composition comprising a lithium-based compound; and   milling the composition to form a second milled particle composition including milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm.   
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the processing comprises melting the aggregates to form the composition comprising the lithium-based compound. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the processing comprises reacting the aggregates to form the composition comprising the lithium-based compound.