Method of making a spinel cathode active material from a mixed metal composition, and a cathode active material made from the same

A method of making a cathode active material, the method comprising:

• contacting a mixed metal composition with water to form a first solution, the mixed metal composition comprising
• manganese, and
• greater than 0 weight percent and less than or equal to 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the mixed metal composition, of a compound comprising Co, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, Zn, F, Si, Li, or a combination thereof;
• adding a salt of nickel, a salt of manganese, or a combination thereof to the first solution to provide a second solution;
• adding a cosolvent to the second solution to provide a third solution;
• combining the third solution and a basic solution to form a precipitate;
• adding a lithium compound to the precipitate to form a mixture;
• and
• heat-treating the mixture under conditions effective to provide the cathode active material,
• wherein the cathode active material comprises at least one phase having a spinel structure,
• wherein the cathode active material comprises Li in a Li:metal ratio of 1:1.9 to 1:2.1.

A method of making a cathode active material, the method comprising:

• contacting a mixed metal composition with water to form a first solution, the mixed metal composition comprising
• nickel and manganese, and
• greater than 0 weight percent and less than or equal to 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the mixed metal composition, of a compound comprising Co, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, Zn, F, Si, Li, or a combination thereof;
• adding a salt of nickel, a salt of manganese, or a combination thereof to the first solution to provide a second solution;
• adding a cosolvent to the second solution to provide a third solution;
• combining the third solution and a basic solution to form a precipitate;
• adding a lithium compound to the precipitate to form a mixture;
• and
• heat-treating the mixture under conditions effective to provide the cathode active material;
• wherein the cathode active material comprises at least one phase having a spinel structure,
• wherein the cathode active material comprises Li in a Li:metal ratio of 1:1.9 to 1:2.1.