An advanced material, nano-structured oxides are used in several existing and emerging technologies, including fuel cells, supercapacitors, catalysts and battery materials.

Fine-grained metal oxide and nanomaterials are traditionally difficult and expensive to produce with conventional methods, which involve inefficient and energy-intensive process steps that make it hard to keep chemical composition and crystal structure consistent.

VSPC's process accurately controls chemical composition and distribution of chemical elements within the crystal structure as part of a simple, solution-based approach using surfactants and thermal processing.

Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said the resulting products could be used in many applications including catalysts, solid-oxide fuel cells, super conductors and lithium-ion batteries.

"This greatly enhances Lithium Australia's arsenal of intellectual property and reinforces our position as a significant supplier of innovative technology to the battery industry," he said.

VSPC is working on a preliminary feasibility study for production of lithium ferrophosphate cathode material at several locations outside China, with results expected in the March quarter.