Nickel and cobalt-free cathode for lithium-ion batteries and method of manufacture
A nickel-free and cobalt-free cathode material for a lithium (Li) battery is provided. The cathode material includes, Li a Al 1-x-y-z Fe x Mn y Zn 2 O 2-δ , wherein a, x, y, z, and δ are in the following ranges: 0.95≤a≤1.2; 0≤x≤0.3; 0≤y≤0.3; 0≤z≤0.3; 0.5≤x+y+z≤0.99; 0≤δ≤0.1. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved Co-free/Ni-free Li-ion battery (LIB) cathode that exhibits good thermal stability and is capable of realizing a high cell voltage and specific capacity comparable to, or exceeding, currently known Li(NiCoMn)O 2 cathodes. The novel cathode chemistry in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention eliminates any potential cobalt supply issues and lowers the overall cost of the battery.
1 . A cathode material for use in a lithium (Li)-ion battery, the cathode material comprising:
Li a Al 1-x-y-z Fe x Mn y Zn z O 2-δ , wherein a, x, y, z, and δ are in a range of 0.95≤a≤1.2; 0≤x≤0.3; 0≤y≤0.3; 0≤z≤0.3; 0.5≤x+y+z≤0.99; 0≤δ≤0.1, wherein the cathode material comprises Zn and at least one of Mn or Fe, and wherein the cathode material does not comprise Ni or Co.
2 . The cathode material of claim 1 , wherein the cathode material has a layered rock-salt structure characterized by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern obtained using Cu-Kα radiation (λ=0.15418 nm) comprising at least one characteristic peak corresponding to (104), (110), (113), (101), (102) or (003) lattice spacings and wherein the observed (003) peak is located between 2θ=17.5° to 20.5°.
3 . The cathode material of claim 1 , wherein the cathode material is synthesized using a method selected from co-precipitation, citrate process, hydrothermal, ion exchange and solid-state reactions.
4 . A lithium (Li)-ion battery (LIB) comprising:
a cathode composed of a cathode material comprising Li a Al 1-x-y-z Fe x Mn y Zn z O 2-δ , wherein a, x, y, z, and δ are in a range of 0.95≤a≤1.2; 0≤x≤0.3; 0≤y≤0.3; 0≤z≤0.3; 0.5≤x+y+z ≤0.99; 0≤δ≤0.1, wherein the cathode material comprises Zn and at least one of Mn or Fe, and wherein the cathode material does not comprise Ni or Co;
an anode; and
an electrolyte positioned between the anode and the cathode.
5 . The LIB of claim 4 , wherein the cathode material has a layered rock-salt structure characterized by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern obtained using Cu-Kα radiation (λ=0.15418 nm) comprising at least one characteristic peak corresponding to (104), (110), (113), (101), (102) or (003) lattice spacings and wherein the observed (003) peak is located between 2θ=17.5° to 20.5°.
6 . The LIB of claim 4 , wherein the cathode material is synthesized using a method selected from co-precipitation, citrate process, hydrothermal, ion exchange and solid-state reactions.