Camx Power LLC

Tiax LLC

Adrian W Pullen

Suresh Sriramulu

David Ofer

Jane Rempel

Kenan Sahin

Jennifer Anne Nelson

Provided are electrochemically active secondary particles that provide excellent capacity and improved cycle life. The particles are characterized by a plurality of nanocrystals with small average crystallite size. The reduced crystallite size reduces impedance generation during cycling thereby improving capacity and cycle life. Also provided are methods of forming electrochemically active materials, as well as electrodes and electrochemical cells employing the secondary particles.

Nanocrystals of polycrystalline layered lithium nickel metal oxides

Provided are processes for the production of particles for use as a precursor material for synthesis of Li-ion cathode active material of a lithium-ion cell comprising: a non-lithiated nickel oxide particle of the formula MOwherein M comprises 80 at % Ni or greater and wherein x is 0.7 to 1.2, M optionally excluding boron in the MOcrystal structure; and a modifier oxide intermixed with, coated on, present within, or combinations thereof the non-lithiated nickel oxide particle, wherein the modifier oxide is associated with the non-lithiated nickel oxide such that a calcination at 500 degrees Celsius for 2 hours results in crystallite growth measured by XRD of 2 nanometers or less.

Precursor materials for Li-ion battery cathode synthesis

Provided are electrochemically active particles suitable for use as an active material in a cathode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell that include: a plurality of crystallites comprising a first composition comprising lithium, nickel, and oxygen; and a grain boundary between adjacent crystallites of the plurality of crystallites and comprising a second composition comprising lithium, nickel, and oxygen; wherein the grain boundary has a higher electrochemical affinity for lithium than the crystallites. The higher electrochemical affinity for Li leads to increased Li retention in the grain boundaries during or at charge relative to the bulk crystallites and stabilizes the structure of the grain boundaries and crystallites for improved cycling stability with no appreciable loss in capacity.

Stable cathode materials

Provided are particles for use as a precursor material for synthesis of Li-ion cathode active material of a lithium-ion cell comprising: a non-lithiated nickel oxide particle of the formula MOwherein M comprises 80 at % Ni or greater and wherein x is 0.7 to 1.2, M optionally excluding boron in the MOcrystal structure; and a modifier oxide intermixed with, coated on, present within, or combinations thereof the non-lithiated nickel oxide particle, wherein the modifier oxide is associated with the non-lithiated nickel oxide such that a calcination at 500 degrees Celsius for 2 hours results in crystallite growth measured by XRD of 2 nanometers or less. Also provided are processes of forming electrochemically active particles using the precursors nickel oxides.

Precursor materials for li-ion battery cathode synthesis

Provided are electrochemical cells that include as a cathode active material within the cathode of the cell secondary particles that provide excellent capacity and improved cycle life. The particles are characterized by grain boundaries between adjacent crystallites of the plurality of crystallites and comprising a second composition having a layered &#x3b1;-NaFeO-type structure, a cubic structure, a spinel structure, or a combination thereof, wherein the electrochemically active cathode active material has an initial discharge capacity of 180 mAh/g or greater; and wherein the electrochemical cell has an impedance growth at 4.2V less than 50% for greater than 100 cycles at 45&#xb0; C.

Polycrystalline metal oxides with enriched grain boundaries

Provided are electrochemically active secondary particles that provide excellent capacity and improved cycle life. The particles are characterized by selectively enriched grain boundaries where the grain boundaries are enriched with Al and Co. The enrichment with Al reduces impedance generation during cycling thereby improving capacity and cycle life. Also provided are methods of forming electrochemically active materials, as well as electrodes and electrochemical cells employing the secondary particles.

Provided are electrochemically active secondary particles that provide excellent capacity and improved cycle life. The particles are characterized by selectively enriched grain boundaries where the grain boundaries are enriched Al. The enrichment with Al reduces impedance generation during cycling thereby improving capacity and cycle life. Also provided are methods of forming electrochemically active materials, as well as electrodes and electrochemical cells employing the secondary particles.

A particle, including: a plurality of crystallites including a first composition having a layered &#x3b1;-NaFeO-type structure and including lithium in an amount of about 0.1 to about 1.3 moles, per mole of the first composition, nickel in an amount of about 0.1 to about 0.79 mole, per mole of the first composition, cobalt in an amount of 0 to about 0.5 mole, per mole of the first composition, and oxygen in an amount of about 1.7 to about 2.3 moles, per mole of the first composition; and a grain boundary between adjacent crystallites of the plurality of crystallites and including a second composition having the layered &#x3b1;-NaFeO-type structure, a cubic structure, or a combination thereof, wherein a concentration of cobalt in the grain boundary is greater than a concentration of cobalt in the crystallites.

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Adrian W Pullen