Cathode active material, method for its manufacture, and use

Abstract

Process for making a composite oxide according to the formula x·Li2Ni1-y1-y2Mny1M1y2O3·(1−x)·LiNi1-zM2zO2 wherein x is in the range of from 0.01 to 0.5, z is in the range of from zero to 0.5, M1 is selected from Ti, Zr, Sn, Ge, Ta, Nb, Sb, W, and Mo, and combinations of at least two of the foregoing, M2 is at least one of Co, Al, Mg, Fe, or Mn, or a combination of at least two of the foregoing, 0.1≤y1≤0.75, zero≤y2≤0.05, said process comprising the following steps: (a) providing a particulate hydroxide, oxide or oxyhydroxide of TM where TM has the general formula x·Ni1-y1-y2Mny1M1y·(1−x)Ni1-zM2z, or the respective species without M1 and/or M2, (b) adding a source of lithium, (c) treating the mixture obtained from step (b) thermally under an atmosphere comprising oxygen in two steps: (c) heating the mixture obtained from step (b) to 680 to 800° C. in an atmosphere containing in the range of from 10 to 100 vol-% oxygen, and, (e) heating the intermediate from step (c) to 450 to 580° C. in an atmosphere containing at least 90 vol-% oxygen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.