Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society (전기화학회지)

The Korean Electrochemical Society (한국전기화학회)
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Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Ni-rich NCM Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

리튬이온전지 양극활물질 Ni-rich NCM의 합성과 전기화학적 특성

  • Kim, Soo Yeon (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University) ;
  • Choi, Seung-Hyun (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University) ;
  • Lee, Eun Joo (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Jeom-Soo (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University)
  • 김수연 (동아대학교 화학공학과) ;
  • 최승현 (동아대학교 화학공학과) ;
  • 이은주 (동아대학교 화학공학과) ;
  • 김점수 (동아대학교 화학공학과)
  • Received : 2017.05.31
  • Accepted : 2017.11.22
  • Published : 2017.11.30
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Abstract

Layered Ni-rich NCM cathode materials $Li[Ni_xCo_{(1-x)/2}Mn_{(1-x)/2}]O_2$ ($x{\geq}0.6$) have advantages of high energy density and cost competitive over $LiCoO_2$. The discharge capacity of NCM increases proportionally to the Ni contents. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize the stable electrochemical performance due to cation mixing. In this study, synthesis conditions for the layered Ni-rich NCMs are investigated to achieve deliver the ones having good electrochemical performances. Synthesis parameters are atmosphere, lithium source, synthesis time, synthesis temperature and Li/M (M=transition metal) ratio. The degree of cation mixing gets worse as the Ni content is increased from $Li[Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}]O_2$ (NCM6) to $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.1}]O_2$ (NCM8). It is confirmed that higher level of cation mixing affects negatively on the electrochemical performance of NCMs. Optimum synthesis conditions are explored for NCMx (x=6, 7, 8) in order to reduce the cation mixing. Under optimized conditions for three representative NCMx, a high initial discharge capacity and a good cycle life are obtained for $180mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 96.2% (50 cycle) in NCM6, $187mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 94.7% (50 cycle) in NCM7, and $201mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 92.7% (50 cycle) in NCM8, respectively.

층상구조의 Ni-rich NCM계 양극활물질 $Li[Ni_xCo_{(1-x)/2}Mn_{(1-x)/2}]O_2$ ($x{\geq}0.6$)은 $LiCoO_2$ 대비 높은 에너지밀도와 가격 경쟁력의 장점을 가진다. Ni 함량에 비례하여 가역 방전용량이 증가하는 장점이 있는 반면, 합성 중에 발생하는 양이온 혼합으로 인해 안정적인 전기화학성능을 구현하기 어려운 문제가 있다. 본 연구에서는 합성 분위기, 리튬 원료물질, 합성 시간, 합성 온도, Li/M (M=transition metal) 비율 등의 다양한 합성조건을 변수로 하여 Ni 함량 증가에 따라 최적의 층상구조 Ni-rich NCM을 각각 합성하고 이에 대한 전기화학성능을 보고하였다. $Li[Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}]O_2$ (NCM6)을 기준으로 Ni 함량이 증가한 $Li[Ni_{0.7}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.15}]O_2$ (NCM7)와 $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.1}]O_2$ (NCM8)의 합성시 전이금속 중 Ni의 비율이 증가함에 따라 양이온 혼합이 증가하는 것이 관찰되었고, 이는 전기화학 성능에 부정적인 영향을 끼치는 것으로 확인되었다. Ni 비율별 NCM에 대한 연구결과 비율 내확인한 최적의 조건에서 NCM6은 $180mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 96.2% (50회), NCM7은 $187mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 94.7% (50회), NCM8은 $201mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 92.7% (50회)의 초기 방전용량 및 수명평가 후 용량유지율 값을 각각 구현하였다.

Keywords

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