Method for Manufacturing Cathode Active Material for Lithium Secondary Batteries and Cathode Active Material for Lithium Secondary Batteries

Method for Manufacturing Lithium-Rich Cathode Materials with Enhanced Regularity via Rapid Quenching-Induced Cation Interdiffusion

This technology maximizes structural stability and the reversible electrochemical activity of oxygen ions by applying a rapid quenching process after high-temperature heat treatment to a composite of lithium-rich layered structures (Li2MO3) and conventional layered structures (LiMeO2), thereby inducing cation interdiffusion between the lithium and transition metal layers and increasing cation disordering.

Conventional lithium-rich layered cathode materials have faced limitations in achieving their theoretical high capacity due to structural collapse during lithium extraction at high voltages and low reversible oxidation/reduction activity of anions (oxygen).

By performing high-energy ball milling followed by high-temperature heat treatment at 900°C or higher and subsequent rapid quenching, this technology induces interdiffusion between lithium and transition metals and creates localized cation disordering across the Li2-xMMyO3 and Li1+xMe1-yO2 phases. This secures structural stability and activates the electron emission/supply reactions of oxygen ions, making it a promising solution to overcome the limitations of existing materials when applied to lithium secondary battery cathodes.

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Key Features:

• Mixing lithium and transition metal precursors to form a cathode active material
• Heat-treating the mixture to form a lithium transition metal composite oxide with a defined composition
• Rapidly cooling the formed lithium transition metal composite oxide through a quenching process
• Configuration that induces cation interdiffusion between the lithium layer and the transition metal layer in a composite of lithium-rich layered and conventional layered structures

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