Synthesis of LixMn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13Oy cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries Via Mechanochemical Activation

Mn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13CO₃ precursor materials were prepared via mechanochemical activation using a high energy planetary ball-mill and subsequently lithiated at high temperatures to form Li_xMn_0.54Ni_0.13Co_0.13O_y cathode materials.  Optimal ball-milling conditions, including the milling time, rate, ball to powder weight ratio, milling media, and ball diameter were investigated to produce precursor materials with high tap density.  Precursor and cathode materials were characterized via X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), particle size analysis, and galvanic charge-discharge cycling.  Preliminary results indicate that increasing the milling time, rate, and ball diameter yield precursor material with a higher tap density up to 1.7 g/mL.  The tap density approaches an apparent upper limit at longer time durations when holding other variables constant.  The mean particle size decreases to 9.42 µm as a function of longer time durations, higher rates, and smaller ball sizes.  Ongoing work will comprehensively evaluate the effects of altering ball-milling conditions on the particle morphology and the electrochemical performance of cathode materials.