The invention claimed is:
1. A lithium metal oxide powder for a positive electrode material in a rechargeable battery, having the general formula Li<sub>1+a</sub>M<sub>1−a</sub>O<sub>2 </sub>where M=Ni<sub>x</sub>Mn<sub>y</sub>Co<sub>z</sub>A<sub>v</sub>, A being a dopant, wherein −0.05≤a≤0.25, 0.20≤x≤0.90, 0.10≤y≤0.67, and 0.10≤z≤0.40, v≤0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, the powder having a particle size distribution with 10 μm≤D50≤20 μm, a specific surface with 0.9≤BET≤5, the BET being expressed in m<sup>2</sup>/g, the powder further comprising a sodium and sulfur impurity, wherein the sum (2*Na<sub>wt</sub>)+S<sub>wt </sub>of the sodium (Na<sub>wt</sub>) and sulfur (S<sub>wt</sub>) content expressed in wt % is more than 0.4 wt % and less than 1.6 wt %, and wherein the sodium to sulfur molar ratio (Na/S) is 0.4<Na/S<2.
the powder
particle size distribution
10 μm
μm
the powder
specific surface
0.9≤BET≤5, the BET being expressed in m<sup>2</sup>/g
m<sup>2</sup>/g
sodium and sulfur impurity
(2*Na<sub>wt</sub>)+S<sub>wt </sub>of the sodium (Na<sub>wt</sub>) and sulfur (S<sub>wt</sub>)
more than 0.4 wt % and less than 1.6 wt %
wt %