Co-precipitation of high‑nickel NCM precursor using Taylor-Couette reactor and its characteristics in lithium-ion battery

Abstract

High nickel NCM have received much attention due to higher capacity and lower price, whilst it has disadvantages of severe structural change during operation that may lead to micro-crack and pulverization of particles. Recent research endeavors to alleviate the deterioration of the cathode by modifying the particle shapes of NCM materials. Here, we prepare the high nickel NCM precursor via co-precipitation process to understand the correlative physical properties between NCM precursors (NixCoyMn1-x-y(OH)2) and NCM cathode materials (LiNixCoyMn1-x-yO2). Various type of high‑nickel NCM precursors and cathode materials are sequentially synthesized by controlling the operating temperature in Taylor-Couette reactor and sintering the precursors with LiOH. The physical properties of prepared NCM precursors and NCM cathode materials are investigated with various surface and structural analysis method as well as basic electrochemical method. Results indicate that the physical properties of NCM precursors influence the crystal orientation of NCM cathode materials, thereby alters the electrochemical performances. NCM precursor prepared at lower temperature provides excellent cathode performance, indicating feasibility of lowering the operating temperature of precursor synthesis process.