Cathode active material for sodium ion battery, and preparation process thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of preparing a cathode active material useful in a sodium ion secondary battery having high reversible capacity and excellent cycle characteristics. The method for preparing a cathode active material composed of Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a includes the steps of (A) doping Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a with Zr.sub.w to provide Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a; and (B) dissociating Li ion from the Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a and inserting Na ion thereto to provide the Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a, wherein M is selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, and combinations thereof, and wherein 0.005<w<0.05, 0.8≤x≤0.85, 0.09≤y≤0.11, 7≤x/y≤10, 0.7≤z≤0.95, and 1.95≤a≤2.05. When the cathode active material is used for manufacturing a cathode for a sodium ion secondary battery, the battery can substitute for a conventional, expensive lithium ion secondary battery.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a cathode active material comprising Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a for sodium ion secondary battery, the method comprising the steps of: (A) doping Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a with Zr.sub.w to provide Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a; and (B) dissociating Li ion from the Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a and inserting Na ion thereto to provide the Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a, wherein M is selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, and combinations thereof, and wherein:
0.005<w<0.05,
0.8≤x≤0.85,
0.09≤y≤0.11,
7≤x/y≤10,
0.7≤z≤0.95, and
1.95≤a≤2.05, wherein step (A) comprises the substeps of: (A1) mixing aqueous Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a solution with an aqueous Zr solution, and drying the resultant mixture at a temperature of 50-150° C. for 1-5 hours; and (A2) heat treating the dried mixture, wherein the aqueous Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a solution is mixed with the aqueous Zr solution at a weight ratio of 1:0.5 to 1:1.1, in substep (A1).

2. The method for preparing a cathode active material for sodium ion secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment in substep (A2) is accomplished in a first heat treatment and a second heat treatment, the first heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 400-800° C. for 1-10 hours, and the second heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 800-1200° C. for 5-15 hours, after carrying out the first heat treatment.

3. The method for preparing a cathode active material for sodium ion secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein the second heat treatment has a temperature that is higher than that of the first heat treatment.

4. The method for preparing a cathode active material for sodium ion secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein step (B) is carried out using an electrochemical ion exchange process.

5. The method for preparing a cathode active material for sodium ion secondary battery according to claim 4, wherein the electrochemical ion exchange process comprises: manufacturing a lithium secondary battery comprising the Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a cathode active material; applying electric potential thereto so that the battery may be charged; disassembling the charged lithium secondary battery to exchange the anode with Na metal; and discharging the battery so that lithium may be substituted with sodium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the results of determination of the crystal structure and microstructure of Zr-doped Li.sub.1.2Ni.sub.0.13Mn.sub.0.53Co.sub.0.13O.sub.2, before insertion of Na, and doped Zr according to an embodiment, as analyzed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

(2) FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the results of determination of Zr ion doped to the cathode active material according to an embodiment, as analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

(3) FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the results of cycle characteristics in the sodium ion secondary battery using Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2 (M=Ni, Mn, Co) as a control of the cathode according to Example 1, at 0.1C (1C=200 mAh/g).

(4) FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the results of rate characteristics of the sodium ion secondary battery according to Example 1 at 0.10-200 (1C=200 mAh/g).

(5) FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the results obtained after the sodium ion secondary battery according to Example 1 is subjected to 1000 cycles at 20C (1C=200 mAh/g).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) Hereinafter, various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail.

(7) In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cathode active material including Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a, wherein M is at least one selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and Ru, and 0.005<w<0.05, 0.8≤x≤0.85, 0.09≤y≤0.11, 7≤x/y≤10, 0.7≤z≤0.95 and 1.95≤a≤2.05.

(8) Herein, Zr functions to enhance cycle life characteristics, and w is preferably larger than 0.005 and smaller than 0.05 (mole). When w is equal to or smaller than 0.005, the cycle life characteristic improvement by Zr is insignificant. And, when w is equal to or larger than 0.05, Zr is doped excessively to cause the problems of degradation of capacity of the secondary battery and formation of an impurity phase caused by Zr content.

(9) Li remains in the cathode active material, since it is not dissociated completely during the preparation of the cathode active material. When Li is totally substituted with Na, no Li remains in the finished cathode active material. However, Li remains preferably, since y is 0.09-0.11 as described hereinafter.

(10) M is a transition metal and is preferably at least one selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and Ru.

(11) Particularly, M is Ni.sub.z1Mn.sub.z2Co.sub.z3 (z1=0-0.9, z2=0.3-0.9 and z3=0-0.9), and more preferably, z1 is 0.01-0.9, z2 is 0.3-0.9 and z3 is 0.01-0.9.

(12) Even more preferably, z2 is 0.3 (mole) or more. This is because the structure of Na.sub.x1Li.sub.y1Mn.sub.z2O.sub.a1—Na.sub.x2Li.sub.y2Ni.sub.z1Co.sub.z3O.sub.a2 (x1+x2=x, y1+y2=y, z1+z2+z3=z, a1+a2=a) can be formed in this case. It is shown that when the cathode active material is applied to a secondary battery, the structure retains at least 90% of the initial charge/discharge capacity even after repeating 1000 cycles.

(13) In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for preparing a cathode active material including Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a, the method including the steps of:

(14) (A) doping Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a with Zr.sub.w; and

(15) (B) dissociating Li ion from the Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a and inserting Na ion thereto, wherein M is at least one selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and Ru, and 0.005<w<0.05, 0.8≤x≤0.85, 0.09≤y≤0.11, 7≤x/y≤10, 0.7≤z≤0.95 and 1.95≤a≤2.05.

(16) The conventional sodium ion secondary battery shows low energy density and a cycle degradation phenomenon so that it may not satisfy the characteristics of a large-capacity secondary battery. Thus, in order to overcome the above-mentioned problem, the inventors of the present disclosure have conducted intensive studies and prepared a cathode active material including a composition of Zr-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a through electrochemical Li dissociation and Na insertion.

(17) If a cathode active material is prepared by using a hybrid type without Li dissociation (i.e. when a cathode active material is prepared by using a sodium salt according to the conventional method for manufacturing a sodium ion secondary battery), Na dissolved in the electrolyte causes rapid degradation of reversible capacity due to Na present at high concentration during the dissociation and insertion of alkali ion.

(18) In addition, when preparing a cathode active material non-doped with Zr, even though Li dissociation is carried out, high initial capacity is realized but capacity tends to be decreased after repeating cycles. Such a cycle degradation phenomenon results from an irreversible change in structure, i.e. structural instability, caused by intercalation/deintercalation of alkali ion during cycles. To overcome this, inactive Zr ion is doped according to the present disclosure.

(19) Therefore, in order to provide high reversible capacity and excellent cycle characteristics (to prevent a cycle degradation phenomenon), it is essentially required that Na is inserted through Li dissociation and Zr is doped when preparing the cathode active material, as described above. If not, it is not possible to ensure both desired characteristics. Thus, it is not possible to improve the performance of conventional sodium ion secondary battery. As a result, it is not possible to substitute for the conventional lithium ion secondary battery.

(20) Hereinafter, the method will be explained in more detail.

(21) First, step (A) is a step for doping Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a with Zr.sub.w. Step (A) preferably includes the steps of: (A1) mixing aqueous Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a solution with aqueous Zr solution, and drying the resultant mixture at a temperature of 50-150° C. for 1-5 hours; and (A2) heat treating the dried mixture.

(22) Preferably, the aqueous Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a solution is mixed with aqueous Zr solution at a weight ratio of 1:0.5-1.1. When the ratio is not within the above-defined range, Zr cannot form a solid solution with the finished oxide, functions as impurity, and causes loss of capacity due to an increase in Zr.

(23) In step (A2), the heat treatment is carried out in two steps of the first heat treatment and the second heat treatment, wherein the first heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 400-800° C. for 1-10 hours, and the second heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 800-1200° C. for 5-15 hours, after carrying out the first heat treatment and pulverizing the resultant powder again. This is for the purpose of providing homogeneous finished oxide by reducing the reaction path between the solid materials remaining after the generated gas is removed through calcination. It is preferred that the second heat treatment temperature is higher than the first heat treatment temperature.

(24) Step (B) is preferably carried out by an electrochemical ion exchange process. The electrochemical ion exchange process includes carrying out initial charge by using a lithium electrode and discharging the secondary battery by using a sodium electrode so that lithium may be substituted with sodium.

(25) More particularly, the electrochemical ion exchange process includes manufacturing a lithium secondary battery including the Zr.sub.w-doped Li.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a cathode active material, applying electric potential thereto so that the battery may be charged, disassembling the charged lithium secondary battery to exchange the anode with Na metal, and discharging the battery so that lithium may be substituted with sodium.

(26) As described above, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for preparing a Zr-doped Na-containing Na—Li-M-O cathode active material by preparing a Zr-doped Na-free Li-M-O cathode active material first (wherein M is at least one selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and Ru), removing Li electrochemically, and then adding Na electrochemically thereto.

(27) It is possible to increase the stability of the matrix to which Zr is doped significantly by virtue of the method. In addition, the Zr.sub.w-doped Na.sub.xLi.sub.yM.sub.zO.sub.a cathode active material obtained by the method according to the present disclosure satisfies 0.005<w<0.05, 0.8≤x≤0.85, 0.09≤y≤0.11, 7≤x/y≤10, 0.7≤z≤0.95 and 1.95≤a≤2.05. Only the method according to the present disclosure can satisfy the combination of the above-defined numeral ranges including the ratio of x/y. It is shown that when the combination of the above-defined numeral ranges is satisfied at the same time, the battery including the cathode active material can provide significantly improved performance according to the present disclosure.

(28) The examples and experiments will now be described. The following examples and experiments are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made based on the disclosure of the present disclosure including the following examples, and the changes and modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.

(29) In addition, the following test results merely include typical test examples of examples and comparative examples, and the effects of various embodiments not specified in the following description are described in the corresponding part.

Preparation Example 1: Preparation of Cathode Active Material of Zr.SUB.0.01.-doped Li.SUB.1.2.Ni.SUB.0.13.Mn.SUB.0.53.Co.SUB.0.13.O.SUB.2

(30) First, 5.77 g of LiNO.sub.3, 2.58 g of Ni(NO.sub.3).sub.2.Math.6H.sub.2O, 2.53 g of Co(NO.sub.3).sub.2.Math.6H.sub.2O and 9.08 g of Mn(NO.sub.3).sub.2.Math.4H.sub.2O were mixed with 23 g of zirconium(IV) acetate hydroxide ((CH.sub.3CO.sub.2)xZr(OH)y, x+y=4) solution (1 wt %, solvent: distilled water), and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand at 100° C. for 3 hours to dry it completely. Next, the first heat treatment was carried out at 600° C. for 5 hours and the second heat treatment was carried out at a temperature of 950° C. for 10 hours. Then, the heat treated mixture was subjected to a ball milling process for 30 minutes to obtain a cathode active material of Li.sub.1.2Ni.sub.0.13Mn.sub.0.53Co.sub.0.13O.sub.2.

Example 1: Preparation of Cathode Active Material of Na.SUB.0.8.Li.SUB.0.11.Ni.SUB.0.13.Mn.SUB.0.53.Co.SUB.0.13.O.SUB.2 .and Manufacture of Sodium Secondary Battery Using the Same

(31) The cathode active material of Li.sub.1.2Ni.sub.0.13Mn.sub.0.53Co.sub.0.13O.sub.2 obtained from Preparation Example 1 was mixed with carbon black (Denka black, Denka Co., Ltd.) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder at a weight ratio of 90:6:4, the mixture was applied to aluminum foil, and then pressing and punching were carried out to obtain a cathode. The cathode and an anode of Li metal were used together with an electrolyte including 1M LiPF.sub.6 dissolved in a mixed solvent containing ethylene carbonate (EC):diethylene carbonate (DEC):dimethyl carbonate (DMC) at a ratio of 1:1:1 to assemble a 2032 coin cell. The assembled cell was charged to 4.8V considering the potential window of the electrolyte, and then disassembled. The disassembled cell was washed with DMC solution to remove the Li salt remaining on the electrode surface. Then, for the purpose of application to a high-capacity sodium battery, the washed cathode material and an anode of Na metal were used together with an electrolyte including 1M NaPF.sub.6 dissolved in a mixed solvent containing ethylene carbonate (EC):diethylene carbonate (DEC) at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a 2032 coin-type cell. In this manner, a cathode active material of Na.sub.0.8Li.sub.0.11Ni.sub.0.13Mn.sub.0.53Co.sub.0.13O.sub.2 and a sodium secondary battery including the same were obtained. It is to be noted that a glass separator was used herein, considering formation of Na metal dendrite and impregnation of the electrolyte, and the assembled cell was subjected to charge/discharge in a range of 1.5-4.3V.

Test Example 1: X-Ray Diffractometry and SEM Analysis

(32) To determine the crystal structure and microstructure of Zr-doped Li.sub.1.2Ni.sub.0.13Mn.sub.0.63Co.sub.0.13O.sub.2, before insertion of Na, and doped Zr according to Example, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out. The results are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(33) Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that primary particles with a size of 500 nm are aggregated and have an O3-type layered structure with a space group of R-3m.

(34) In addition, a peak is observed at the portion (˜22°) represented by the arrow mark. This is a peak defined as Li.sub.2MnO.sub.3 and is one generated additionally besides the existing LiMO.sub.2 (M=metal) phase. The peak is not generated, when Mn content is low, and effectively functions to improve life characteristics.

Test Example 2: Analysis for Charge/Discharge Capacity of Secondary Battery

(35) The sodium secondary battery according to Example 1 was analyzed for its electrochemical characteristics. The results are shown in FIGS. 3-5.

(36) First, referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the cathode of Example 1 shows a discharge capacity of ˜225 mAhg.sup.−1 and excellent life characteristics under the application of charge/discharge electric current of 0.1C (1C=200 mAh/g) within a voltage range of 1.5-4.3V. On the contrary, the control, non-Zr-doped Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2(M=Ni, Mn, Co) shows degradation of discharge capacity as charge/discharge cycles proceed. This suggests that Zr doping results in improvement of cycle life characteristics.

(37) Referring to FIG. 4, the cathode of Zr-doped Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2(M=Ni, Mn, Co) according to Example 1 shows a discharge capacity of 229, 218, 207, 195, 177, 148, 124, 98 mAhg.sup.−1 under the application of charge/discharge electric current of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20C, respectively, within a voltage range of 1.5-4.3V. In addition, it is shown that when the charge/discharge rate is changed into the initial 0.1C, the unique capacity can be realized stably.

(38) Further, referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the cathode of Zr-doped Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2 (M=Ni, Mn, Co) according to Example 1 shows a discharge capacity corresponding to 73% of the initial capacity during 1000 cycles under the application of high charge/discharge electric current of 20C (1C=200 mAh/g) within a voltage range of 1.5-4.3V. It is thought that Zr doping significantly contributes to the structural stability of the Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2 (M=Ni, Mn, Co) cathode material, as compared to pristine Na.sub.2MnO.sub.3—NaMO.sub.2 (M=Ni, Mn, Co) cathode material.

(39) As can be seen from the foregoing, the cathode active material for a sodium ion secondary battery according to the present disclosure shows high reversible capacity and excellent cycle characteristics, when it is applied to a secondary battery. When the cathode active material is used for manufacturing a cathode for a sodium ion secondary battery and the cathode is applied to a sodium ion secondary battery, the battery can substitute for the conventional expensive lithium ion secondary battery and can be applied to various industrial fields.