PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A SURFACE-MODIFIED PARTICULATE LITHIUM NICKEL METAL OXIDE MATERIAL

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

Li a Ni x Co y A z O 2+b   Formula 1

in which:

A is one or more of Al, V, Ti, B, Zr, Cu, Sn, Cr, Fe, Ga, Si, Zn, Mg, Sr, Mn, Ca, S, Ce, La, Mo, Nb, P, Sb, and W;

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:

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

(ii) providing a coating liquid comprising a cobalt-containing compound;

(iii) adding the coating liquid to the nickel metal precursor particles using an incipient wetness process to form an impregnated powder;

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

the process additionally comprising the addition of at least one lithium-containing compound to the nickel metal precursor particles and/or

mixing the impregnated powder with at least one lithium-containing compound prior to calcination step (iv).

2 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein A is one or more of Al, V, Ti, B, Zr, Cu, Sn, Cr, Fe, Ga, Si, Zn, Mg, Sr, Mn, and Ca.

3 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the incipient wetness process comprises the addition of the coating liquid to the nickel metal precursor particles, the volume of the coating liquid corresponding to 50 to 150% of the apparent pore volume of the to the nickel metal precursor particles.

4 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the nickel metal precursor is a nickel metal hydroxide or oxyhydroxide precursor.

5 . The process according claim 1 , wherein A includes Al and/or Mg, or is Al and/or Mg.

6 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein A includes Al and the coating liquid comprises an aluminium-containing compound.

7 . The process according to claim 1 . wherein the coating liquid comprises a lithium-containing compound, such as lithium nitrate.

8 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the impregnated powder is mixed with lithium hydroxide prior to calcination step (iv).

9 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the nickel metal precursor particles are mixed with a lithium-containing compound, such as lithium hydroxide, prior to the addition of the coating liquid.

10 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the coating liquid is provided at a temperature from 50 to 80° C.

11 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the addition step is carried out at temperature from 40 to 80° C.

12 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the coating liquid is formed by heating at least one hydrated metal salt.

13 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the total molar concentration of metal in the coating liquid is from 0.5 mol/L to 3 mol/L.

14 . The process according claim 1 , wherein the coating liquid is added to the nickel metal precursor particles by spraying the coating liquid onto the particles.

15 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the calcination step comprises heating to a temperature from 600 to 800° C., preferably for a period of 30 mins to 8 hours.

16 . The A process according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of coating liquid added corresponds to 70 to 150% of the apparent pore volume of the nickel metal precursor particles.

17 . The process according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming an electrode comprising the surface-modified lithium nickel metal oxide material.

18 . The process according to claim 17 , further comprising the step of constructing a battery or electrochemical cell including the electrode comprising the surface-modified lithium nickel metal oxide material.