Significant interest in lithium- and manganese-rich (LMR) cathodes exists within the lithium-ion battery community. LMR electrodes, which incorporate a Li₂MnO₃ motif into the structure [1], exhibit high capacities and have relatively low raw materials costs [2]. Despite these attributes, significant challenges to commercialization remain, including industrial considerations related to materials processing. Synthesis of commercialized materials and electrodes such as those based on LiCoO₂ (LCO) and LiNi­_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ (NCA) has been highly optimized. However, less work has been done on the optimization and processing of promising new LMR compositions. Specifically, structurally-integrated “layered-layered-spinel” cathodes have been shown to provide improved rate capability, first-cycle efficiency, and possibly structural stability with cycling than their “layered-layered” counterparts [3]. However, these new chemistries have to date received little attention in the way of optimizing electrochemical performance through improved particle synthesis. This poster will detail important considerations for LMR particle synthesis through reactive crystallization, and highlight ongoing work at Argonne National Laboratory on the design and synthesis of advanced lithium-metal-oxide electrode materials.

References

1. M. M. Thackeray, C. S. Johnson, J. T. Vaughey, N. Li and S. A. Hackney, J. Mater. Chem. 15, 2257 (2005).
2. K. G. Gallagher, S. Goebel, T. Greszler, M. Mathias, W. Oelerich, D. Eroglu, V. Srinivasan, Energy & Environ. Sci. 7, 1555 (2014).
3. B.R. Long, J. R. Croy, J.S. Park, J. Wen, D.J. Miller and M.M. Thackeray, J. Electrochem. Soc. 161, A2167 (2014).

Acknowledgments

Funding for this work from the Office of Vehicle Technologies of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is gratefully acknowledged.

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