(577d) Batch and Slug-Flow Synthesis of NMC111 Precursor Micro Crystals for Battery Application: A Comparative Study

Increased interest in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) as a clean energy source is because of the growing demand for renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Among the various electrochemical energy storage devices, lithium ion batteries are advantageous in terms of high energy and power density, rate capability, long cycle life and have a wide range of applications, including portable electronic devices, electric and hybrid electric vehicles.¹ Layered metal oxides such as NMC-111 (LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂) are the popular choice for cathode materials because of their stability, high capacity and relatively low cost.² The electrochemical performance of NMC-111 largely depends on the composition, morphology and size distribution of the particles, which can be determined by proper modulation of the synthesis methods. Co-precipitation of precursor for NMC materials is commonly used because of scalability, controllability for the particle composition and morphology.³ Here we compare co-precipitation synthesis of NMC-111 precursor materials from different reactors, traditional batch and new slug flow reactors with potential use^4,5. The effect of reaction parameters on product crystal morphology and nucleation and growth kinetics are quantified.

References.

(1) Hua, W.; Liu, W.; Chen, M.; Indris, S.; Zheng, Z.; Guo, X.; Bruns, M.; Wu, T. H.; Chen, Y.; Zhong, B.; Chou, S.; Kang, Y. M.; Ehrenberg, H. Unravelling the Growth Mechanism of Hierarchically Structured Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3(OH)₂ and Their Application as Precursors for High-Power Cathode Materials. Electrochim. Acta 2017, 232, 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2017.02.105.

(2) Manthiram, A. A Reflection on Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Chemistry. Nature Communications. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15355-0.

(3) Dong, H.; Koenig, G. M. A Review on Synthesis and Engineering of Crystal Precursors Produced: Via Coprecipitation for Multicomponent Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials. CrystEngComm 2020, 22 (9), 1514–1530. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ce00679f.

(4) Jiang, M.; Zhu, Z.; Jimenez, E.; Papageorgiou, C. D.; Waetzig, J.; Hardy, A.; Langston, M.; Braatz, R. D. Continuous-Flow Tubular Crystallization in Slugs Spontaneously Induced by Hydrodynamics. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1021/cg401715e.

(5) Guillemet-Fritsch, S.; Aoun-Habbache, M.; Sarrias, J.; Rousset, A.; Jongen, N.; Donnet, M.; Bowen, P.; Lemaître, J. High-Quality Nickel Manganese Oxalate Powders Synthesized in a New Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor. Solid State Ionics 2004, 171 (1–2), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-2738(03)00282-0.