US 12,394,790 B2
Method for preparing a positive electrode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Randy De Palma, Brussels (BE); Kasper Lambrighs, Brussels (BE); Dae-Hyun Kim, Chungcheongnam-do (KR); and HyeJeong Yang, Chungcheongnam-do (KR)
Assigned to UMICORE, Brussels (BE)
Appl. No. 17/605,288
Filed by UMICORE, Brussels (BE)
PCT Filed Apr. 24, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/061430
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 21, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/216888, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 29, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 19171244 (EP), filed on Apr. 26, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0190334 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. H01M 4/525 (2010.01); C01G 53/50 (2025.01); H01M 4/04 (2006.01); H01M 4/505 (2010.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01); H01M 4/02 (2006.01)
CPC H01M 4/525 (2013.01) [C01G 53/50 (2013.01); H01M 4/0471 (2013.01); H01M 4/505 (2013.01); H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); C01P 2006/40 (2013.01); H01M 2004/028 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
 
1. A process for preparing a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries comprising the steps of:
subjecting a mixed metal compound pM comprising nickel and at least one metal selected from cobalt, manganese and aluminium to a heat treatment at a temperature TS of at least 650° C., thereby obtaining a heat-treated mixed metal compound M;
in a first cooling stage, cooling said heat-treated mixed metal compound M, at mean cooling rate, to an intermediate temperature TI being the lower of 700° C. and the sintering temperature TS;
in a second cooling stage, cooling said heat-treated mixed metal compound M from said intermediate temperature TI to 550° C. at a mean cooling rate of more than 2° C./min and of less than 10° C./min, wherein the mean cooling rate of the first cooling stage is more than the mean cooling rate of the second cooling stage; and
in a final cooling stage, cooling said heat-treated mixed metal compound M, at a mean cooling rate of at least 70° C./min, to ambient temperature, thereby obtaining a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries.