This technology is a non-heat-treated surface modification method that disperses and stirs layered lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) cathode active material in an aqueous copper(II) nitrate solution to substitute lithium within the structure with copper, forming a CuCoO2 film on the particle surface. The resulting film has a spinel-type structure with a thickness of 3–4 nm.
Although LiCoO2 theoretically has the potential to utilize twice its practical capacity, repeated high-voltage charging and discharging cause the layered structure to collapse and trigger surface side reactions with the electrolyte, leading to performance degradation. Conventional surface coatings used to prevent this typically require high-temperature heat treatment, which complicates the process and increases costs.
This technology uses simple room-temperature stirring to induce lithium-copper ion exchange, creating a thin protective film that does not damage the active material's inherent structure or morphology, while simultaneously suppressing structural collapse, electrolyte side reactions, and polarization. As a result, cell performance—including cycle life, rate capability, and energy density—is improved. It can be applied to high-capacity lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing lines for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, allowing for simplified cathode material modification without the need for heat treatment equipment.
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