US Patent 11183692 Production of a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material

A process for producing a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material, includes producing a raw layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide (“LMNC”) material. Optionally, a dopant capable of enhancing the performance of the layered LMNC material when used as a cathode material in an electrochemical cell, is introduced during the production of the raw LMNC material. Before any annealing of the raw LMNC material is effected, it is subjected to microwave treatment. The resultant treated material is annealed to obtain the layered LMNC material.