| abstract |
The rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode which includes a positive active material, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte which includes a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt. The positive active material includes a core including at least one of a compound represented by Formula 1 and a compound represented by Formula 2, and a surface-treatment layer which is formed on the core and includes a compound represented by Formula 3. The lithium salt includes LiPF 6 and a lithium imide-based compound. n Li a Ni b Co c Mn d M e O 2 (1) n Li h Mn 2 M i O 4 (2) n M′ x P y O z (3) n wherein each of M and M′ is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group 13 element, a Group 14 element, a transition element, a rare earth element, and combinations thereof, 0.95≦a≦1.1, 0≦b≦0.999, 0≦c≦0.999, 0≦d≦0.999, 0.001≦e≦0.2, 0.95≦h≦1.1, 0.001≦i≦0.2, 1≦y≦4, 0≦y≦7, and 2≦z≦30. |