Anisotropic particle synthesis and characterization for lithium-ion battery electrode materials via precursor precipitate growth inhibitor

Abstract

To achieve higher power and energy density batteries, electrodes are often designed towards increased current densities and thicknesses. Under such conditions, electrode microstructure can become an important factor. Electrode microstructure is dependent on many factors, but one factor that can facilitate anisotropic microstructures is having anisotropic lithium-ion battery active material particles. Thus, robust methods to produce active materials with anisotropic particle morphologies are desirable. This manuscript will describe the use of an inhibitor to direct anisotropic morphologies of lithium-ion battery precursor particles. This anisotropic secondary platelet morphology was retained after conversion to final active material particles. The synthesis method should be generally applicable to producing a variety of transition metal oxide compositions with anisotropic morphologies, however, the inhibitor can have significant impacts on the rate of precipitation of the transition metals during precursor synthesis. Three exemplar materials will be described towards targeted synthesis of anisotropic cathode particles.