A technology for producing electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries from Kazakhstan spodumene raw materials

Abstract

This study aims to develop a technology for producing innovative electrode materials for modern lithium batteries. An efficient technology for post-purifying of technical lithium carbonate to reach the level of battery quality (99.95%) was developed. This technology involves causticiziation of technical lithium carbonate, ultrafiltration and ion-exchange sorption of a lithium hydroxide solution, followed by precipitation of lithium carbonate with ammonium carbonate. Cation-exchange resins of the brands Purolite S930Plus, Purolite S940 and Purolite S950 were studied for sorption purification of lithium-containing solutions from calcium and magnesium impurities. Purolite S940 and Purolite S950 can be recommended as the most effective cation exchangers. The kinetic parameters of calcium and magnesium sorption were determined using a Purolite S940 cation exchanger. The bicarbonation mode was set at room temperature and a pressure of 0.3 atm. The synthesized samples of lithium-iron-phosphate studied by the sol-gel method. The structures of the obtained electrode materials corresponding to the standard profile of lithium-iron-phosphate were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The synthesized electrode materials in the structure of lithium half- and button cells confirmed their good electrochemical properties, stable operation of batteries and a high intercalation reversibility of lithium ions in the samples within the potential range of 2.5–4.3 V. The main research results are innovative cathode and anode materials of a new generation for modern lithium-ion batteries with significantly increased capacity and stability of operation, obtained from lithium precursors – battery grade lithium carbonate based on domestic mineral and technogenic raw materials.