In-Situ Analysis of Nucleation and Growth of Transition Metal Oxalate Particles As Precursors for Battery Active Materials Via Time Evolution of Solution Composition and Particle Size Distribution

Abstract

The increasing demand on battery performance including energy density and cycle life requires more precise control over phase purity of the active materials and the electrode microstructures. Both of these properties are closely related to constituent particle composition and morphology. Coprecipitation is a popular synthesis route to produce precursors for electroactive, multicomponent transition metal oxides for many applications, including energy storage. Coprecipitation has advantages in that it is scalable, results in homogeneous mixing of transition metal cations, and additionally results in particles that with appropriate processing provide morphology tunability. Understanding the kinetics of the nucleation and particle growth during coprecipitation from a multicomponent blend solution is necessary for rational control of particle composition and morphology. In this talk we will demonstrate a combination of techniques to successfully obtain the in-situ particle size distribution and solution composition. The combined information was used to determine the reaction rate and mechanisms of particle nucleation and growth. The techniques developed in this study can also be applied to other multicomponent coprecipitation systems to guide their particle synthesis.