Cathode active material for lithium secondary batteries coated with a boron compound and method for manufacturing the same

Long-life, high-power cathode material surface-modified with a titanium diboride (TiB2) coating

This technology enhances the physical and chemical stability of cathode active materials by coating the surface of lithium transition metal composite oxide particles with boron compounds represented by the chemical formula MB2 (M=Ti, Cr, Zn, V).

Layered lithium-manganese oxides suffer from poor cycle performance due to structural instability, while high-capacity lithium-nickel oxides face issues with short cycle life and high reactivity with electrolytes. Consequently, it has been difficult to simultaneously achieve both long lifespan and high power output in cathode active materials.

This technology involves coating lithium composite oxide particles with 0.1 to 10 wt% of a boron compound, such as TiB2, followed by heat treatment at 100–500°C to modify the surface. It can be applied to high-nickel cathode materials for electric vehicle cells or high-power power tool batteries, contributing to battery designs that suppress electrolyte side reactions and minimize power degradation after repeated charge-discharge cycles.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• Composite oxide particles containing lithium and at least one transition metal selected from V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ta
• A coating layer formed on the surface of the composite oxide particles, containing a boron compound with the chemical formula MB2
• A boron compound where M is selected from Ti, Cr, Zn, or V, included at 0.1 to 10 wt% relative to the composite oxide
• A process of forming the coating layer by drying and heat-treating a mixture of the composite oxide particles and the boron compound

‍