NCM Carbonate Precursor pH Control for Hollow Cathode Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing positive-electrode active materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries do not adequately address the need for a large reaction surface area and internal structure of particles, particularly in lithium-rich nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxides, which are crucial for high cycling characteristics, low resistance, and high output.

Innovation Solution

A positive-electrode active material precursor is developed, comprising nickel-cobalt-manganese carbonate composite particles with a sparse central portion and dense outer shell structure, allowing for the formation of hollow particles with specific size and composition, enhancing the initial discharge capacity and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional manufacturing methods are used for positive-electrode active materials, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the reaction surface area is insufficient and cycling characteristics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling characteristicsVSAvoidparticle internal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The particle is segmented into multiple functional zones: a dense outer shell portion providing structural integrity and a sparse central portion providing reaction surface area. This segmentation allows the particle to simultaneously achieve good cycling characteristics through the dense shell and high reaction efficiency through the sparse center, resolving the contradiction between reliability and internal structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the particle are given different densities and structures: the outer shell is made dense to maintain structural integrity during cycling, while the central portion is made sparse to increase reaction surface area. This local quality differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function, improving cycling characteristics without sacrificing reaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If hollow particles are formed to increase reaction surface area, then cycling characteristics improve, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling characteristicsVSAvoidparticle structure uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow structure is formed preliminarily during the precursor manufacturing stage through controlled precipitation and drying processes, rather than attempting to create the hollow structure during final sintering. This preliminary formation of the hollow structure with sparse central portion and dense outer shell allows better control over particle morphology and improves manufacturing precision while maintaining the cycling characteristics benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If particle density is increased to improve structural integrity, then manufacturing becomes easier, but reaction surface area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle formationVSAvoidreaction surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The particle structure is differentiated into a dense outer shell portion that is easy to manufacture and provides structural integrity, and a sparse central portion that provides large reaction surface area. By applying local quality differentiation, the dense shell can be formed through conventional manufacturing processes while the sparse center provides the needed reaction surface area, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reaction surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The precursor enables the production of positive-electrode active materials with a hollow structure, improving the initial discharge capacity and maintaining the structural integrity of the battery, thereby enhancing the battery's performance.

Implementation Method 1

a positive-electrode active material precursor for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, contains a nickel-cobalt-manganese carbonate composite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS12592385B2Method for manufacturing positive-electrode active material precursor and positive-electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a positive-electrode active material precursor for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing a nickel-cobalt-manganese carbonate compound includes: an initial aqueous solution preparation process of preparing an initial aqueous solution; a nucleation process of forming nuclei; and a nucleus growth process of growing the nuclei. In the nucleation process, a pH value of the mixed aqueous solution is controlled to be greater than or equal to 8.0 at the reference reaction temperature of 25° C. In the nucleus growth process, the pH value of the mixed aqueous solution is controlled to be greater than or equal to 6.0 and less than or equal to 7.5 at the reference reaction temperature of 25° C. The nucleation process takes a time greater than or equal to 1/20 and less than or equal to 3/10 of a combined time of the nucleation process and the nucleus growth process.