Precursors for lithium transition metal oxide cathode materials for rechargeable batteries
A particulate precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, wherein (M) is Ni x Mn y Co z A v , A being a dopant, wherein 0.33≤x≤0.60, 0.20≤y≤0.33, and 0.20≤z≤0.33, v≤0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, the precursor comprising Ni, Mn and Co in a molar ratio x:y:z and having a specific surface area BET in m 2 /g and a sulfur content S expressed in wt %, wherein formula (I).
1. A particulate precursor compound for manufacturing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, wherein (M) is Ni x Mn y Co z A v , A being a dopant, and wherein
0.33≤x≤0.50, 0.20≤y≤0.33, and 0.20≤z≤0.33, v≤0.05, and x+y+z+v=1, and the precursor comprises Ni, Mn and Co in a molar ratio x:y:z and has a specific surface area BET in m 2 /g and a sulfur content S expressed in wt %, and
(
BET
-
25
18
-
6
x
)
2
+
(
S
-
0.15
0.25
-
0.05
x
)
2
≤
0.75
.
2. The particulate precursor compound of claim 1 , wherein the precursor comprises a hydroxide M-OH or an oxyhydroxide M-OOH compound.
3. A method for preparing a lithium transition metal (M)-oxide powder for use as an active positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, comprising:
providing the M-precursor according to claim 1 ,
providing a Li precursor compound,
mixing the M-precursor and the Li precursor, and
firing the mixture at a temperature between 600 and 1100° C. for at least 1 hr.