US 12,255,326 B2
Methods for preparing positive electrode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Jens Paulsen, Cheonan-si (KR); Shinichi Kumakura, Cheonan-si (KR); TaeHyeon Yang, Cheonan-si (KR); Dae-Hyun Kim, Cheonan-si (KR); and HyeJeong Yang, Cheonan-si (KR)
Assigned to UMICORE, Brussels (BE); and UMICORE KOREA LTD., Cheonan-si (KR)
Appl. No. 17/041,022
Filed by UMICORE, Brussels (BE); and UMICORE KOREA LTD., Cheonan-si (KR)
PCT Filed Mar. 13, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/056210
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 24, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/185349, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 3, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/649,646, filed on Mar. 29, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 18182354 (EP), filed on Jul. 9, 2018; and application No. 18190220 (EP), filed on Aug. 22, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0143423 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. H01M 4/525 (2010.01); H01M 4/04 (2006.01); H01M 4/505 (2010.01); H01M 4/02 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 4/525 (2013.01) [H01M 4/0471 (2013.01); H01M 4/505 (2013.01); H01M 2004/021 (2013.01); H01M 2004/028 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for preparing a powderous positive electrode material comprising single crystal monolithic particles comprising Ni and Co and having a general formula Li1+a ((Niz (Ni1/2 Mn1/2)y Cox)1-k Ak)1-a O2, wherein A is a dopant, −0.03≤a≤0.06, 0.05≤x≤0.35, 0.10≤z≤0.95, x+y+z=1 and k≤0.05, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a mixture comprising a Ni- and Co- bearing precursor and a Li bearing precursor,
subjecting the mixture to a multiple step sintering process whereby in the final sintering step a sintered lithiated intermediate material is obtained comprising agglomerated primary particles having a primary particle size distribution with a D50 between 2.0 and 8.0 μm,
subjecting the lithiated intermediate material to a wet ball milling step whereby the agglomerated primary particles are deagglomerated and a slurry comprising deagglomerated primary particles is obtained,
separating the deagglomerated primary particles from the slurry, and
heat treating the deagglomerated primary particles at a temperature between 300° C. and at least 20° C. below the temperature in the final sintering step of the multiple step sintering process, whereby single crystal monolithic particles comprising Ni and Co are obtained.