Csir

Charl Jeremy Jafta

Kenneth Ikechukwu Ozoemena

A process for producing a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material, includes producing a raw layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide ('LMNC') material. Optionally, a dopant capable of enhancing the performance of the layered LMNC material when used as a cathode material in an electrochemical cell, is introduced during the production of the raw LMNC material. Before any annealing of the raw LMNC material is effected, it is subjected to microwave treatment. The resultant treated material is annealed to obtain the layered LMNC material.

Production of a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material

A process for producing a lithium-manganese-nickel oxide spinel material includes maintaining a solution comprising a dissolved lithium compound, a dissolved manganese compound, a dissolved nickel compound, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy alcohol, and, optionally, an additional metallic compound, at an elevated temperature T, where Tis below the boiling point of the solution, until the solution gels. The gel is maintained at an elevated temperature until it ignites and burns to form a Li&#x2014;Mn&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;O powder. The Li&#x2014;Mn&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;O powder is calcined to burn off carbon and/or other impurities present in the powder. The resultant calcined powder is optionally subjected 1 to microwave treatment, to obtain a treated powder, which is annealed to crystallize the powder. The resultant annealed material is optionally subjected to microwave treatment. At least one of the microwave treatments is carried out. The lithium-manganese-nickel oxide spinel material is thereby obtained.

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Pretoria, South Africa

Charl Jeremy Jafta