Tesla, Inc.
PROCESS TO PRODUCE CATHODE MATERIALS FOR RECHARGEABLE LI BATTERIES

Abstract:

This invention provides a method for the production of high capacity cathode materials for use in rechargeable lithium batteries. Traditional methods for producing lithium mixed metal oxide cathode materials typically generate large amounts of effluent which effluent must be treated prior to discharge. The present process uses mixed metals as raw materials in a wet chemical reaction in order to make high-quality precursors which can be used to prepare high-quality cathode materials after lithiation. As a key feature, in the precursor preparation process, the bulk of the aqueous solution used for the wet chemical reaction is recycled back to the reactor, so that the total process has little or no effluent generated during production of the cathode precursor material.