Apple Inc.
CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIALS HAVING IMPROVED PARTICLE MORPHOLOGIES

Abstract:

Mixed-metal oxides and lithiated mixed-metal oxides are disclosed that involve compounds according to, respectively, Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub..alpha.O.sub..beta. and Li.sub.1+.gamma.Ni.sub.xMn.sub.yCo.sub.zMe.sub..alpha.O.sub..beta.. In these compounds, Me is selected from B, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ag, In, and combinations thereof; 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1; 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1; 0.ltoreq.z<1; x+y+z>0; 0.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.0.5; and x+y+.alpha.>0. For the mixed-metal oxides, 1.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.5. For the lithiated mixed-metal oxides, -0.1.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.1.0 and 1.9.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.3. The mixed-metal oxides and the lithiated mixed-metal oxides include particles having an average density greater than or equal to 90% of an ideal crystalline density.