CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIAL AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

The present invention relates to a cathode active material for a secondary battery and a preparation method thereof, and more particularly, to a lithium composite oxide including a secondary particle formed as primary particles cohere, in which a manganese (Mn) oxide is present in the periphery of the primary particles, a concentration of an Mn oxide in the primary particle has a concentration gradient from the center of the primary particle to a surface of the particle, a concentration of an Mn oxide in the secondary particle has a concentration gradient from a surface of the secondary particle to the center thereof, and a lithium ion migration path is formed in the primary particle, and a preparation method thereof. A secondary battery including the cathode active material for a secondary battery may have high safety, while exhibiting high capacity and high output.