Cathode active material for lithium secondary batteries and manufacturing method thereof

Cathode material with enhanced oxygen activity via Li/transition metal concentration gradient core-shell structure

This technology maximizes the electrochemical activity and reversibility of oxygen by diversifying the energy levels of non-hybridized oxygen states. It achieves this by introducing a lithium/transition metal (Li/TM) concentration gradient within 3D transition metal-based lithium-rich layered oxide particles to form a core-shell structure.

Conventional 3D transition metal-based lithium-rich oxides have faced limitations in achieving high capacity due to low oxygen reaction activity, structural instability, and irreversible oxygen gas evolution.

This technology provides a distinct competitive edge in the lithium-ion battery cathode market. By performing primary calcination and pulverization of different metal precursors, followed by mechanochemical reaction induction via high-energy ball milling, it creates a core-shell structure where the Li/TM ratio varies from the particle surface to the interior.

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Key Features:

• Preparing a mixture of two types of metal precursors to synthesize the two phases constituting the cathode active material
• Primary calcination of each of the two mixtures by heating them at 700 to 1000 degrees Celsius
• Pulverizing the two calcined products obtained from primary calcination to a specific particle size
• Mixing the two pulverized calcined products to form a core-shell structured cathode active material with a lithium and transition metal concentration gradient

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