PROCESS

1 - 18 canceled

19 . A process for producing a surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide material having a composition according to Formula 1:

Li a Ni x M y A z O 2 +b   Formula 1

in which:

M is one or more of Co and Mn;

A is one or more of Al, V, Ti, B, Zr, Cu, Sn, Cr, Fe, Ga, Si, Zn, Mg, Sr, and Ca

0.8≤a≤1.2

0.5≤x<1

0<y≤0.5

0≤z≤0.2

−0.2≤b≤0.2

x+y+z=1

the process comprising the steps of:

(i) providing lithium nickel metal oxide particles in the form of secondary particles comprising a plurality of primary particles;

(ii) providing a coating liquid at a temperature of at least 50° C., the coating liquid comprising at least one metal-containing compound;

(iii) adding the coating liquid to the lithium nickel metal oxide particles to form an impregnated powder, the volume of coating liquid added corresponding to 50 to 150% of the apparent pore volume of the lithium nickel metal oxide particles;

(iv) calcining the impregnated powder to form the surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide material.

20 . The process according to claim 19 wherein A is Al and/or Mg.

21 . The process according to claim 19 wherein M includes Co and the coating liquid comprises a cobalt-containing compound, preferably cobalt nitrate.

22 . The process according to claim 21 wherein the concentration of cobalt at the grain boundaries of the surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide is greater than the concentration of cobalt in the primary particles of the surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide.

23 . The process according to claim 19 wherein A includes Al and the coating liquid comprises an aluminium-containing compound, preferably aluminium nitrate.

24 . The process according to claim 23 wherein the concentration of aluminium at the grain boundaries of the surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide is greater than the concentration of aluminium in the primary particles of the surface-modified particulate lithium nickel metal oxide.

25 . The process according to claim 21 wherein the coating liquid comprises a lithium-containing compound, preferably lithium nitrate.

26 . The process according to claim 19 wherein M is Co.

27 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the coating liquid is provided at a temperature from 50 to 80° C.

28 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the addition step is carried out at temperature from 40 to 80° C.

29 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the coating liquid is formed by heating at least one hydrated metal salt.

30 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the total molar concentration of metal in the coating liquid is at least 0.5 mol/L, at least 0.75 mol/L, at least 1 mol/L, at least 1.25 mol/L, at least 1.5 mol/L, at least 1.75 mol/L or at least 2 mol/L.

31 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the coating liquid is added to the lithium nickel metal oxide particles by spraying the coating liquid onto the particles.

32 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the calcination step is carried out at a temperature from 400 to 1000° C.

33 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the volume of coating liquid added corresponds to 70 to 150% of the apparent pore volume of the lithium nickel metal oxide particles, preferably 90 to 150% or 90 to 125% of the apparent pore volume of the lithium nickel metal oxide particles.

34 . The process according to claim 19 wherein the volume of coating liquid added corresponds to 100 to 150% of the apparent pore volume of the lithium nickel metal oxide particles, preferably 100 to 125% of the apparent pore volume of the lithium nickel metal oxide particles.

35 . The process according to claim 19 further comprising the step of forming an electrode comprising the surface-modified lithium nickel metal oxide material.

36 . The process according to claim 35 further comprising the step of constructing a battery or electrochemical cell including the electrode comprising the surface-modified lithium nickel metal oxide material.