US 12,456,728 B2
Method for producing high nickel lithiated metal oxide for battery
Bing Tan, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Yuhao Liao, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Andrew Rajewski, Clinton, MI (US); Jeffery Lachapelle, Northville, MI (US); and Wei Wu, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to Pacific Industrial Development Corporation, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by Pacific Industrial Development Corporation, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/869,851.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/227,483, filed on Jul. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0036486 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 4/525 (2010.01); H01M 4/02 (2006.01); H01M 4/04 (2006.01); H01M 4/485 (2010.01); H01M 4/505 (2010.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01)
CPC H01M 4/525 (2013.01) [H01M 4/0471 (2013.01); H01M 4/485 (2013.01); H01M 4/505 (2013.01); H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); H01M 2004/028 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for preparing high nickel lithiated metal oxides, the process comprising:
a. Selecting one or more nickel precursors;
b. Providing at least one non-corrosive lithium salt;
c. Delivering a plurality of metal oxide or hydroxide precursors; wherein at least one of the metal oxide/hydroxide precursors comprises cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) or a combination thereof and at least another metal oxide/hydroxide precursor includes aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), boron (B), or a combination thereof;
d. Mixing the one or more nickel precursors, the at least one non-corrosive lithium salt, and the plurality of metal oxide/hydroxide precursors together to form a mixture;
e. Spray drying the mixture to form a powder; and
f. Subjecting the powder to a 1st sintering step and then to a 2nd sintering step to form the high nickel lithiated metal oxides comprising:
LixNiyMzN(1−y−z)O(2−a)Fa  (F-1)
wherein x=1.0-1.1, 0.80≤y≤0.90, 0.03<z≤0.15, and 0≤a≤0.05, M is Co or Fe; and N is Al, Mn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, Cr, Nb, Mo, W, B, or a mixture thereof, provided N may be Fe when M is Co;
wherein the 1st sintering step is performed in an air environment at a temperature ≥750° C.; and
wherein the 2nd sintering step is performed in an O2 environment at a temperature≤750° C.