METHOD FOR IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY OF CATHODE MATERIALS FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES

• US 20090194747A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tiax, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vale Inco Limited
• Inventors: Zou, Feng, Huang, Huan, Yang, Quan Min, Liao, Lunzhi
• Application Number:
  US12/025,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194747A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/519.33
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0404 by coating on electrode collectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0419 involving spraying
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/131 Electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1391 of electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/366 as layered products
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/525 of mixed oxides or hydroxides containing iron, cobalt or nickel for inserting or intercalating light metals, e.g. LiNiO2, LiCoO2 or LiCoOxFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/62 Selection of inactive substances as ingredients for active masses, e.g. binders, fillers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/622 being polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/623 fluorinated polymers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for improving the environmental stability of cathode materials used in lithium-based batteries. Most currently used cathode active materials are acutely sensitive to environmental conditions, e.g. leading to moisture and CO₂ pickup, that cause problems for material handling especially during electrode preparation and to gassing during charge and discharge cycles. Binder materials used for making cathodes, such as PVDF and PTFE, are mixed with and/or coated on the cathode materials to improve the environmental sensitivity of the cathode materials.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A method for improving the environmental stability of cathode material for lithium-based battery cathodes, the method comprising:

a) providing a lithium-based compound comprising LiNiO₂;

b) introducing a binder including PVDF to the lithium-based compound and mixing them wherein the binder ranges up to about 10% of the cathode and is used in the downstream preparation of the cathode disposed in the battery;

c) heating the lithium-based compound and the binder to about 180°

C. for about an hour;

d) adding a Lewis acid to the lithium-based compound and the binder, the Lewis acid having a molecular weight of less than about 200 grams per molar compound; and

e) causing the binder to coat the lithium-based compound.

25. The method according to claim 24 including spray coating the lithium-based compound with the binder.

26. The method according to claim 24 wherein the lithium-based compound consists essentially of LiNi_0.3 CO_0.15 AI_0.05 Q₂.

27. The method according to claim 24 wherein the Lewis acid is selected from at least one of the group consisting of oxalic acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, ammonium fluoride, ammonium hydrogen fluoride, ammonium phosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and ammonium hexafluoroaluminate.

28. The method according to claim 24 including wet coating by introducing the lithium-based compound into a solution of the pre-dissolved binder and a solvent, and then drying the solvent.