Energy and Materials Technology Available for Licensing

This invention is a method to synthesize LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ with little Li/TM disorder, thereby imparting improved rate capability to the material. The new processing route is based on low-temperature ion-exchange of a well layered NaNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ precursor. Compared to LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ synthesized from the conventional solid state reaction, ion-exchanged LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ has very little transition metal in the lithium layer, ensuring faster lithium diffusion. Due to more stable lithium site energy in the lithium-vacancy ordered system, higher operating voltage can be achieved in the ion-exchanged LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂, leading to higher energy density.

LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ with significantly low cation mixing for higher energy and power density

Keywords:
Energy density, rate capability, lithium ion battery, ion exchange, solid state reaction, electrode material, transition metal ion

Applications:
Reducing charge/ discharge time in high capacity rechargeable lithium ion batteries

Problem:
Synthesis of LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ without significant mixing of Li and transition metal ions

Advantages:
Higher energy density achieved using lower cost materials.

Inventors:

Professor Gerbrand Ceder(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)

Kisuk Kang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property:
U.S. Patent Application Number 11/992782, filed on June 25, 2010

Publications:
N/A

LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 with significantly low cation mixing for higher energy and power density

Keywords: Energy density, rate capability, lithium ion battery, ion exchange, solid state reaction, electrode material, transition metal ion

Applications: Reducing charge/ discharge time in high capacity rechargeable lithium ion batteries

Problem: Synthesis of LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 without significant mixing of Li and transition metal ions

Advantages: Higher energy density achieved using lower cost materials.

Inventors: Professor Gerbrand Ceder(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT) Kisuk Kang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property: U.S. Patent Application Number 11/992782, filed on June 25, 2010

Publications: N/A