Methods for the Production of Cathode and Anode Powder Precursors
This invention relates to a method for preparing cathode powder precursors for application in lithium ion batteries.
1 . A method for preparing cathode powders, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
preparing a solution rich in lithium carbonate and lithium bicarbonate by bubbling carbon dioxide into a lithium carbonate containing solution;
adding to the solution a metal oxide compound;
adding to the solution a hydroxide solution;
intimately mixing the solution to cause precipitation of lithium oxide on the outer surface of the metal oxide to produce a metal particle having a lithium carbonate coating thereon;
collecting the coated metal particle; and
thermally treating the metal particle to convert the lithium carbonate coating to lithium oxide.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal oxide is selected from nickel oxide, manganese oxide, nickel oxide, vanadium oxide, or combinations thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydroxide solution is lithium hydroxide.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is greater than about 1:1.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is between about 1:1 and 1.1:1.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is between about 1.01:1 and 1.05:1.
7 . A method for preparing cathode powders, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
preparing a solution rich in lithium carbonate and lithium bicarbonate by bubbling carbon dioxide into a lithium carbonate containing solution;
adding to the solution a metal phosphate compound;
adding to the solution a hydroxide solution;
intimately mixing the solution to cause precipitation of lithium oxide on the outer surface of the metal phosphate to produce a metal particle having a lithium carbonate coating thereon;
collecting the coated metal particle; and
thermally treating the metal particle to convert the lithium carbonate coating to lithium oxide.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the metal phosphate is selected from iron phosphate, manganese phosphate, vanadium phosphate, or combinations thereof.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the hydroxide solution is lithium hydroxide.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is greater than about 1:1.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is between about 1:1 and 1.1:1.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the ratio of lithium to metal oxide is between about 1.01:1 and 1.05:1.