Interactions between mullite saggar refractories and Li-ion battery cathode materials during calcination

Used mullite-based saggars from a Li(NixCoyMnz)O-2 (LNCM) materials-making plant were collected to characterize the degradation occurring during application. Based on the post-mortem analysis, laboratory scale experiments were designed using mixtures of mullite powders and commercial Li-ion battery cathode precursors. The mixtures were calcined at temperatures ranging from 800 degrees C to 1100 degrees C, and characterized with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of temperature on the interactions between mullite and LNCM materials was determined. The combination of the post-mortem study and the laboratory scale tests allowed a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the saggar microstructure during degradation.