A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The
positive active material comprises a lithiated intercalation compound and a coating
layer formed on the lithiated intercalation compound. The coating layer comprises
a solid-solution compound and an oxide compound having at least two coating elements,
the oxide compound represented by the following Formula 1:
wherein M and M are not the same and are each independently at least
one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Al, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ni,
Co, Ti, Sn, Mn, Cr, Fe, and V; 0r2,
where r is determined based upon p and q. The solid-solution compound is prepared
by reacting the lithiated intercalation compound with the oxide compound. The coating
layer has a fracture toughness of at least 3.5 MPam1/2. A method of
making the positive active material is also provided.
