The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a precursor co-precipitate material for a cathode active material composition. During manufacture of the precursor co-precipitate material, an aqueous solution containing at least one of a manganese sulfate and a cobalt sulfate is formed. Next, a NH4OH solution is added to the aqueous solution to form a particulate solution comprising irregular secondary particles of the precursor co-precipitate material. A constant pH in the range of 10-12 is also maintained in the particulate solution by adding a basic solution to the particulate solution.