Positive electrode materials having a superior hardness strength

A powderous positive electrode material for a lithium secondary battery, the material having the general formula Li1+x[Ni1−a−b−cMaM′bM″c]1−xO2−z;

• M being either one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Zr and Ti,
• M′ being either one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, B and Co,
• M″ being a dopant different from M and M′,
• x, a, b and c being expressed in mol with −0.02≤x≤0.02, 0≤c≤0.05, 0.10≤(a+b)≤0.65 and 0≤z≤0.05;
• wherein the powderous material is subject to controlled milling to result in a BET value ≤0.37 m2/g, a Dmax<50 μm, and wherein the powderous material in an unconstrained state has a first cumulative particle size distribution having a D10 value represented by D10P=0, wherein the powderous material after being pressed at 200 MPa and subsequently being gently deagglomerated has a second cumulative particle size distribution, wherein ΓP(D10P=0) represents a percentage of particles of the second cumulative particle size distribution having a size smaller than or equal to D10P=0, wherein ΓP(D10P=0) is no more than 36%-16%(2a+b), and
• wherein the powderous material is formed from a precursor material comprising a metal oxy-hydroxide.