Slug Flow Coprecipitation Synthesis of Uniformly-Sized Oxalate Precursor Microparticles for Improved Reproducibility and Tap Density of Li(NiCoMn)O Cathode Materials.

The microparticle quality and reproducibility of Li(NiCoMn)O (NCM811) cathode materials are important for Li-ion battery performance but can be challenging to control directly from synthesis. Here, a scalable reproducible synthesis process is designed based on slug flow to rapidly generate uniform micron-size spherical-shape NCM oxalate precursor microparticles at 25-34 °C. The whole process takes only 10 min, from solution mixing to precursor microparticle generation, without needing aging that typically takes hours.

Scalable Advanced Li(NiCoMn)O Cathode Materials from a Slug Flow Continuous Process.

Li[NiCoMn]O (LNCMO811) is the most studied cathode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries with high energy density. However, available synthesis methods are time-consuming and complex, restricting their mass production. A scalable manufacturing process for producing NCM811 hydroxide precursors is vital for commercialization of the material.