A method for making an active material comprises the steps of forming a slurry,
spray drying the slurry to form a powdered precursor composition, and heating the
powdered precursor composition at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form
a reaction product. The slurry has a liquid phase and a solid phase, and contains
at least an alkali metal compound and a transition metal compound. Preferably the
liquid phase contains dissolved alkali metal compound, and the solid phase contains
an insoluble transition metal compound, an insoluble carbonaceous material compound,
or both. Electrodes and batteries are provided that contain the active materials.
