Provided are processes for the production of particles for use as a precursor material for synthesis of Li-ion cathode active material of a lithium-ion cell comprising: a non-lithiated nickel oxide particle of the formula MOx wherein M comprises 80 at % Ni or greater and wherein x is 0.7 to 1.2, M optionally excluding boron in the MOx crystal structure; and a modifier oxide intermixed with, coated on, present within, or combinations thereof the non-lithiated nickel oxide particle, wherein the modifier oxide is associated with the non-lithiated nickel oxide such that a calcination at 500 degrees Celsius for 2 hours results in crystallite growth measured by XRD of 2 nanometers or less.