Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/52—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron
  • H01M4/525—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of nickel, cobalt or iron of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01G—COMPOUNDS CONTAINING METALS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C01D OR C01F
  • C01G51/00—Compounds of cobalt
  • C01G51/40—Complex oxides containing cobalt and at least one other metal element
  • C01G51/42—Complex oxides containing cobalt and at least one other metal element containing alkali metals, e.g. LiCoO2
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01G—COMPOUNDS CONTAINING METALS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C01D OR C01F
  • C01G53/00—Compounds of nickel
  • C01G53/40—Complex oxides containing nickel and at least one other metal element
  • C01G53/42—Complex oxides containing nickel and at least one other metal element containing alkali metals, e.g. LiNiO2
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/485—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of mixed oxides or hydroxides for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiTi2O4 or LiTi2OxFy
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2002/00—Crystal-structural characteristics
  • C01P2002/20—Two-dimensional structures
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2002/00—Crystal-structural characteristics
  • C01P2002/50—Solid solutions
  • C01P2002/52—Solid solutions containing elements as dopants
  • C01P2002/54—Solid solutions containing elements as dopants one element only
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2002/00—Crystal-structural characteristics
  • C01P2002/70—Crystal-structural characteristics defined by measured X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction data
  • C01P2002/72—Crystal-structural characteristics defined by measured X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction data by d-values or two theta-values, e.g. as X-ray diagram
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2002/00—Crystal-structural characteristics
  • C01P2002/70—Crystal-structural characteristics defined by measured X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction data
  • C01P2002/77—Crystal-structural characteristics defined by measured X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction data by unit-cell parameters, atom positions or structure diagrams
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/40—Electric properties
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
  • H01M10/052—Li-accumulators
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method of making hexagonal lithiated metal oxide materials at reduced temperatures. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of synthesizing lithium cobalt oxide or lithium nickel oxide products which is economical and which yields products having good electrochemical properties . The invention also relates to a method of producing a cobalt hydroxide precursor.
• LiCo0 2 cells are of particular interest because of their ability to insert/deinsert lithium reversibly at voltages greater than 4 V, resulting in batteries that have an output voltage and an energy density three times greater than Ni-Cd cells.
• Lithium cobalt oxide adopts a hexagonal structure consisting of Co0 2 layers separated by Van der Waals gap. The octahedral sites within the Van der Waals gap are occupied by the Li ions. This results in the reversible intercalation of lithium.
• LiNi0 2 is isostructural with LiCo0 2 and is commercially viable for use in secondary lithium ion batteries.
• Lithium secondary batteries are described for instance in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,296,318 and 5,418,091 to Gozdz et al. , both of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
• Lithium metal-free "rocking chair” batteries may be viewed as comprising two lithium-ion-absorbing electrode "sponges" separated by a lithium-ion conducting electrolyte usually comprising a Li + salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent or mixture of such solvents .
• a lithium-ion conducting electrolyte usually comprising a Li + salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent or mixture of such solvents .
• Numerous such salts and solvents are known in the art as evidenced in Canadian Patent Publication No. 2,002,191, dated January 30, 1991.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,192,629 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, provides a class of electrolyte compositions that are exceptionally useful for minimizing electrolyte decomposition in secondary batteries comprising strongly oxidizing positive electrode materials. These electrolytes are uniquely capable of enhancing the cycle life and improving the temperature performance of practical "rocking chair" cells. These electrolyte compositions have a range of effective stability extending up to about 5.0 V at 55°C, as well as at room temperature (about 25°C) .
• a substantial cost in the fabrication of lithium secondary batteries is the cost of electrode material resulting from the price of Co- or Ni-based precursors plus the processing cost.
• Prior methods of synthesizing LiCo0 2 include heating to temperatures of from 800°C to 900°C. Reduction of the synthesis temperature of LiCo0 2 would result in significant savings in the energy and cost in the production of these electrode materials.
• the LT LiCo0 2 phase which does not present any interest from an electrochemical point of view, transforms to the hexagonal LiCo0 2 phase at temperatures greater than 600°C.
• Such a LiCo0 2 spinel structure results most likely from the fact, as suggested by Barboux et al . , that the phase grows or nucleates from the cubic Co 3 0 spinel .
• Applicants have discovered an advantageous method of forming layered structure lithium cobalt dioxide and lithium nickel dioxide materials which employs low temperatures, i.e., not exceeding 150°C, yet provides good electrochemical properties in the materials.
• the present invention is directed to this simple and cost-efficient method of making lithiated transition metal oxides at low temperatures .
• the invention relates to a method of making an alkali metal oxide of the formula
• A is an alkali metal of group Ia
• x is a number from 0.99 to 0 (depending upon the progress of the synthesis reaction)
• M is a transition metal
• the method comprising reacting an alkali metal ion source in a basic solution with MOOH, wherein M is as defined above, in the presence of water at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 150°C and at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
• the invention relates to a method of making a lithium transition metal oxide of the formula
• the method comprising reacting a lithium ion source in a basic solution with MOOH, wherein M is as defined above, in the presence of water at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 150°C and at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
• the invention relates to a method of making lithium cobalt oxide of the formula
• H x Li 1 _ x Co0 2 wherein x is a number from 0.99 to 0, the method comprising reacting a lithium ion source in a basic solution with CoOOH in the presence of water at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 150°C and at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
• the invention relates to a method of making a lithium nickel oxide of the formula
• FIG. 1 shows X-ray diffraction patterns of LiCo0 2 prepared according to the present invention at varying degrees of H 2 0 saturation.
• FIG. 2 shows the X-ray diffraction patterns of the respective precursor and reaction products in the method of preparing LiCo0 2 according to the present invention.
• FIG. 3 shows the similarity of X-ray diffraction patterns of LiCo0 2 prepared according to the present invention and according to prior high temperature practice.
• FIG. 4 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of LiNi0 2 prepared according to the present invention, along with a standard LiNi0 2 pattern.
• FIG. 5 shows the initial reversible cycling of a rechargeable battery cell comprising an electrode of LiCo0 2 prepared according to the present invention.
• FIG. 6 shows the initial reversible cycling of a rechargeable battery cell comprising an electrode of LiCo0 prepared according to prior high temperature practice.
• FIG. 7 shows extended reversible cycling of a rechargeable battery cell comprising an electrode of LiCo0 2 prepared according to the present invention.
• FIG. 8 shows extended reversible cycling of a rechargeable battery cell comprising an electrode of LiCo0 prepared according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• lithium cobalt oxide and lithium nickel oxide having desirable properties can be synthesized at temperatures well below 800-900°C. This has been accomplished through the use of an MOOH starting material in which M is a transition metal.
• H x A 1 _ 3e M0 2 wherein A is an alkali metal of group Ia, x is a number from 0.99 to 0 (depending upon the progress of the synthesis reaction), and M is a transition metal, can be synthesized by reacting an alkali metal ion source in a basic solution with MOOH, wherein M is a transition metal, in the presence of an ion exchange medium, such as water, at a pressure greater than atmospheric.
• M is selected from cobalt and nickel.
• A is an alkali metal of group Ia selected from lithium, sodium, and potassium. More preferably, the alkali metal for use in the present invention is lithium.
• the temperature of the reaction is preferably from about 50°C to about 150°C, more preferably from about 80°C to about 130°C, and most preferably from about 100°C to 130°C.
• the reaction is preferably carried out at a pH of from about 8 to about 14, preferably from about 12 to about 14. Generally, the reaction temperature may be lowered with increased pH of the composition.
• the pressure is selected to maintain the presence of water.
• the pressure of the reaction should therefore be at least greater than atmospheric.
• the pressure of the reaction is preferably from lxlO 5 Pa to about 3xl0 6 Pa, more preferably between about 2x10 Pa and about 1x10 Pa, most preferably between about 6xl0 5 Pa and about lxlO 6 Pa. It may be possible, with a high pH to run the reaction under reflux. The skilled artisan will clearly understand the relationship of temperature, pressure and pH and can readily select appropriate conditions.
• the reaction is carried out at the selected temperature and pressure to synthesize the desired alkali metal oxide.
• the reaction time is preferably from about 1 day to about 20 days, more preferably from about 2 days to about 10 days and most preferably from about 3 days to about 5 days.
• This reaction may be carried out at a 1 to 1 ratio of alkali metal to transition metal; however, it is preferably carried out in a stoichiometric excess of alkali metal. More preferably the reaction is carried out in a molar excess of alkali metal from about 1.05 to about 5.0, most preferably in a molar excess of about 1.5 to about 2.5.
• the reaction is further preferably carried out in a saturation of water.
• the effect of the degree of water saturation on the reaction product is shown in the LiCo0 2 X-ray diffraction patterns of FIG. 1 which were obtained in a series of syntheses where the amount of water ranged from 0 to 0.8 ml/ 0.4 grams of CoOOH.
• a substantially total saturation of the reaction composition occurred at about 0.4 ml.
• the skilled artisan can readily determine the appropriate water content necessary to carry the reaction to substantial completion, as described.
• Li can be completely removed from LiCo0 2 while maintaining a layered structured. Electrochemically synthesized Co0 2 powders are able to reintercalate lithium in a secondary battery to give the LiCo0 2 phase, a direct indication of the fully reversible Li insertion process within the LiCo0 2 phase.
• the Co0 2 phase which is made electrochemically at a voltage of 5 V is significantly unstable in a moisture- containing environment. Indeed, this phase reacts as follows:
• the resulting H x Co0 2 , or CoOOH, phase has the same layered structure as LiCo0 2 , and is known in the literature, e.g., JCPDS Powder Diffraction Files, under the name of heterogenite- (3R) .
• the heterogenite phase reported in Kondrashev and Fedorova, Doklady AKaD. Nank. , 94, 229, 1954, was prepared by boiling ⁇ -Co(0H) 2 in water.
• H x Co0 2 formed from electrochemically synthesized Co0 2 , as described in reaction (2) above, is a starting material from which lithium cobalt oxide can be produced at low temperatures.
• An exchange of the proton can be effected at low temperatures by reacting H x Co0 2 with LiOH-H 2 0 according to following reaction.
• the reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature of from about 120°C to about 130°C for a period of from about 10 hours to about 2 days.
• the reaction is more preferably carried out at a temperature of about 125°C for a period of about 24 hours.
• the material is removed and ground at intervals.
• the resulting H x Co0 2 can now be used as the precursor in reaction (3) to obtain single phase LiCo0 2 at a temperature of about 100°C according to the present invention.
• the lithiated oxide After the lithiated oxide is formed it may be rinsed in a suitable rinsing agent, for example, water, acetonitrile, an aqueous solution of tetramethyl ammonia hydroxide, or mixtures of the same. Excess LiOH is removed during the washing step. X-ray diffraction powder patterns for the ⁇ -Co(OH) 2 precursor, the CoOOH and LiCo0 2 products of reactions (4) and (3), and the washed LiCo0 2 are shown respectively at (a) -(d) in FIG. 2.
• a suitable rinsing agent for example, water, acetonitrile, an aqueous solution of tetramethyl ammonia hydroxide, or mixtures of the same. Excess LiOH is removed during the washing step. X-ray diffraction powder patterns for the ⁇ -Co(OH) 2 precursor, the CoOOH and LiCo0 2 products of reactions (4) and (3), and the washed LiCo0 2
• the lithiated material may further be heated to a temperature between 100°C and 950°C for a time sufficient to drive off interfering groups.
• Lithium cobalt oxide may also be annealed at a temperature of greater than 950°C for a period of from 1 to 5 hours to further improve the capacity of the material.
• Lithium cobalt oxide was prepared from a mixture 0.4 g of CoOOH and 0.4 g of LiOH-H 2 0 (2 times molar) with 0.4 ml of H 2 0, providing a pH of about 14.
• the mixture was sealed in a quartz ampoule (25 ml capacity) and the synthesis reaction was carried out at a temperature of 100°C, generating a calculated pressure of about 6.6xl0 5 Pa, for about 5 days.
• FIG. 3 compares X-ray diffraction pattern (a) of the
• the lattice parameters of the example material are 2.8163 ⁇ 0.001 for the "a" value and 14.069 ⁇ 0.01 for the "c" value. These values agree with the JCPDS.
• LiNi0 2 material was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that NiOOH was used at a reaction temperature of about 140°C.
• the X-ray diffraction pattern for this material and a standard LiNi0 2 reference pattern are shown respectively at (a) and (b) in FIG 4.
• simple test cells were assembled using as the positive electrode a film of composition cast from a fluid dispersion comprising the finely- divided oxide compound with about 10% carbon and 5% binder polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, in an organic solvent, e.g., l-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
• a boro-silicate glass paper separator element saturated with an electrolyte solution of 1 M LiPF 6 in a 2:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate was then arranged between the positive electrode element and a lithium foil negative electrode element in a Swagelock test cell which compressed the electrode and separator elements into intimate contact.
• the resulting cell was then tested in the usual manner over charge/discharge cycles in the range of about 3 V to 4.5 V.
• FIG. 6 The exemplary results of extended cycling tests of the LiCo0 2 material of Example 1 and of the same material prepared in Example 2 are shown respectively in FIGs . 7 and 8.

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• Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
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• 1995
  • 1995-07-05 US US08/498,315 patent/US5630993A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1996
  • 1996-06-19 DE DE69611696T patent/DE69611696T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1996-06-19 JP JP50515897A patent/JP3263082B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1996-06-19 CA CA002226126A patent/CA2226126C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1996-06-19 WO PCT/US1996/010541 patent/WO1997002214A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1996-06-19 AU AU63351/96A patent/AU697301B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1996-06-19 DK DK96922495T patent/DK0876296T3/da active
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