Precursor Cathode Active Material (pCAM) is a powder-like substance critical to manufacture lithium-ion batteries. It contains materials such as: Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese.
NMC pCAM is produced by chemically combining nickel, cobalt, and manganese compounds in various quantities and ratios to meet the customers’ specifications.
pCAM is typically produced using a co-precipitation process. The metal sulphates are mixed in a solution and then precipitated using a chemical agent. The precipitate is then washed and dried to produce the pCAM powder.
At the electrode manufacturing line the pCAM is mixed with binders, conductors and a solvent to form a slurry. This slurry is then applied to the electrode foil, it is dried and calendared.
pCAM Quality
The chemical composition, particle size and distribution are key factors that impact the functions of the final battery cell, including: capacity, cycle ageing and safety.
It is difficult to determine trace impurities in concentrated metal salt solutions. Hence a number of techniques have been developed:
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
- Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
It is also important to:
- Confirm the identity and purity of input chemicals
- Monitor impurities during the production process
- Monitor impurities from recovered production processes that are being re-used
Waste
The pCAM process produces large quantities of Sodium Sulphate (NaSO4) as a waste product, incurring additional disposal costs.
See also: Key Minerals in a Battery, Cathode