Cathode with disordered rocksalt material and method of forming the cathode
A method for forming a cathode includes milling a suspension of precursors via a micromedia mill to form a mixture of primary particles in the suspension. The precursors include one or more metal compounds. The method includes spray drying the suspension after the milling to form secondary particles. The secondary particles are agglomerations of the primary particles. The method also includes annealing the secondary particles to form a disordered rocksalt powder.
1. A cathode for a rechargeable battery, the cathode comprising:
a disordered rocksalt powder characterized by secondary particles having an average particle size no less than 1 micrometer and no greater than 20 micrometers, each of the secondary particles being an agglomeration of primary particles, the primary particles having an average particle size no greater than 400 nanometers.
2. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the disordered rocksalt powder is represented by formula (i):
Li x N y M z O 2−a F a (i)
where 1.0<x<1.65; 0.01<y<0.55; 0.1<z<1; 0≤a<0.5; N is one of Ti, Ta, Zr, W, Nb, or Mo; and M is one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Zr, Y, Mo, Ru, Rh or Sb.
3. The cathode of claim 2 , wherein a>0.
4. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the secondary particles are spherical in shape.
5. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the secondary particles have a carbon coating.
6. The cathode of claim 1 , wherein the average particle size of the secondary particles is no greater than 10 micrometers.