JP3837470B2 - Method for producing layered rock salt type lithium iron oxide - Google Patents

Description

【００３４】
試料No.1のFe:Niモル比は、混合水溶液調製時のFe:Niモル比と同様に、ほぼ9:1であった。全遷移金属(Fe+Ni)に対するLiの比も、理論値=1に近いものであった。さらに、K量も1％以下であり、無視できる程度の少量であった。
試料No.1のX線回折パターンを図１（ａ）に示す。図１（ｂ）の層状岩塩型LiFeO₂の単位胞で指数付けできたことから、試料No.1は、層状岩塩型構造を保ったまま、LiFeO₂のFeがNiにより置換されていることを確認した。これらのデータから、試料No.1は、組成式LiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂で示される層状岩塩型の複合酸化物であることが明らかである。
【００３５】
次に、上記で得たLiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂を正極材料とし、Li金属を負極材料とし、六フッ化リン酸リチウム(LiPF₆)をエチレンカーボネートとジメチルカーボネートとの混合液に溶解させた溶液を電解液とし、ポリエチレン製微孔膜セパレータを用いて作製したLi/LiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂電池の初期充放電曲線を図２（ａ）に示す。異種金属を含まないLiFeO₂を正極材料とする電池の初期充放電曲線（図２（ｂ））と比較すると、LiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂を正極材料として使用することにより、初期充放電容量の増加が認められる。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、層状岩塩型LiFeO₂に特定の割合でNiを含有させたNi含有リチウム鉄酸化物を得ることができる。このLiFe_1-xNi_xO₂(0＜x＜0.5)で示されるNi含有リチウム鉄酸化物は、層状岩塩型LiFeO₂の電気化学的活性を改善することができるので、これをリチウムイオン二次電池における正極材料として使用する場合には、初期充放電容量を向上させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 層状岩塩型LiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂およびLiFeO₂のＸ線回折パターンを示すチャートである。
【図２】 層状岩塩型LiFe_0.9Ni_0.1O₂およびLiFeO₂をそれぞれ正極材料とする2つのリチウムイオン二次電池の初期充放電特性を示すグラフである。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing Ni-containing lithium iron oxide useful as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Lithium ion secondary batteries are attracting attention because of their outstanding energy density, and are currently installed as power sources in portable devices such as mobile phones and notebook computers. In addition, the lithium ion secondary battery is expected to be used as a power source for electric vehicles, home robots, rescue robots and the like, and the demand is expected to increase further.
[0003]
In lithium ion secondary batteries currently in practical use, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO ₂ ) is used as a positive electrode material, a carbon material such as graphite is used as a negative electrode material, and an organic electrolytic solution is used as an electrolytic solution. Among them, the positive electrode material is an important component that greatly affects battery performance such as battery operating voltage and charge / discharge capacity.
[0004]
However, LiCoO ₂ that is a positive electrode material contains strategic cobalt and expensive cobalt (Co), which is one of the major factors that hinder the reduction of the manufacturing cost of lithium ion secondary batteries. Therefore, it is a much abundant resource, and therefore, utilization of lithium iron oxide containing inexpensive iron (Fe) is expected.
[0005]
As a result of intensive studies to obtain a lithium iron oxide that acts as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, the present inventors have found that the layered rock salt type (α-NaFeO ₂ ) similar to the known LiCoO ₂ crystal structure. A lithium iron oxide (LiFeO ₂ ) having a (type ₂ ) structure was successfully obtained (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-139593).
[0006]
However, LiFeO ₂ having this layered rock salt structure did not show sufficient electrochemical activity as a positive electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries (K. Ado, M. Tabuchi, H. Kobayashi, H. Kageyama). , O. Nakamura, Y. Inaba, R. Kanno, M. Takagi, and Y. Takeda, J. Electrochem. Soc., 144 [7], L177 (1997)).
[0007]
On the other hand, it is known to increase the electrochemical activity of lithium iron oxide by containing different metals. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-67520 discloses a lithium iron oxide Li _x FeO ₂ having a zigzag layered structure similar to the well-known LiMnO ₂ crystal structure and at least one of Co, nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn). It is disclosed that the characteristics of a lithium ion secondary battery can be improved by using a compound containing a lithium as a positive electrode material. However, this compound cannot sufficiently improve the characteristics as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.
In addition, a method for synthesizing LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <1) having a layered rock salt structure by ion exchange has been reported (R. Kanno, T. Shirane, Y. Inaba, and Y. Kawamoto, J. Power sources, 68, 145 (1997).). However, the Ni-containing lithium iron oxide obtained by this method still does not exhibit good characteristics as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a dissimilar metal-containing lithium iron oxide useful as a positive electrode material in a lithium ion secondary battery.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive research while paying attention to the current state of the prior art, the present inventor has a problem of the above prior art when producing a layered rock salt type Ni-containing lithium iron oxide by a hydrothermal method under specific conditions. It has been found that the points can be reduced or substantially eliminated, and the present invention has been completed.
[0010]
That is, the present invention is to subject a coprecipitate produced by subjecting a mixed solution containing iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II) to alkali treatment, then aging at 100 ° C. or lower, and then aging the Li compound-containing alkali. A Ni-containing lithium iron oxide having a layered rock salt type crystal structure represented by the composition formula LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5) is produced by hydrothermal treatment with the solution at 400 ° C or lower. Provide a way to do it.
In the method of the present invention, the lithium iron oxide having a layered rock salt type crystal structure retains a layered rock salt type structure of Li _x FeO ₂ in which migration of lithium ions may easily occur, and a small amount of Fe. It is manufactured by substituting with Ni metal.
The layered rock salt type LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5) obtained by such a manufacturing method can significantly improve the charge / discharge characteristics of the battery as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery. it can.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a method for producing lithium iron oxide according to the present invention, characteristics of lithium iron oxide as a lithium ion positive electrode material, a lithium ion secondary battery, and the like will be described more specifically.
1. Lithium iron oxide The lithium iron oxide produced by the method of the present invention is a composite oxide having a layered rock salt type crystal structure represented by the composition formula LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5). is there. That is, the composite oxide is obtained by substituting part of Fe of the layered rock salt type LiFeO ₂ with Ni.
[0012]
The value of x can be appropriately set according to desired electrochemical characteristics and the like, but is usually in the range of 0 <x <0.5, and more preferably in the range of 0 <x ≦ 0.2.
[0013]
The complex oxide is composed of a layered rock salt type crystal phase. However, other crystal phases and / or amorphous parts may be contained within a range not impeding the effects of the present invention.
[0014]
The lithium iron oxide of the present invention can be used, for example, as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery. By using the positive electrode material of the present invention as the positive electrode material (positive electrode active material) and adopting other components (electrolyte, separator, etc.) used in known lithium ion secondary batteries as they are, A secondary battery can be manufactured.
For example, a positive electrode material of the present invention fixed to a current collector is used as a positive electrode, metallic lithium is used as a negative electrode, and lithium compounds such as lithium hexafluorophosphate and lithium perchlorate are used as an electrolyte solution in an organic solvent (ethylene Lithium ion secondary batteries can be assembled according to a conventional method by using a solution dissolved in carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, etc.) and using a known polymer membrane separator or the like.
[0015]
2. Method for Producing Lithium Iron Oxide Production of lithium iron oxide in the present invention is carried out by subjecting a mixed solution containing iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II) to alkali treatment, and air-oxidizing the resulting coprecipitate, Aged at 100 ° C or lower, then hydrothermally treated at 400 ° C or lower with a mixed alkaline solution. The compositional formula LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5) This is performed by forming a composite oxide having the same.
[0016]
A solution containing iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II) can be prepared, for example, by dissolving an iron compound and a Ni compound in water.
[0017]
The iron compound and Ni compound are not particularly limited as long as they can serve as a source of iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II).
[0018]
Examples of the iron compound include water-soluble salts such as iron nitrate, iron chloride, and iron sulfate, hydroxides, and oxides. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0019]
Examples of the Ni compound include water-soluble salts such as nickel nitrate, nickel chloride, and nickel sulfate, hydroxides, and oxides. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
[0020]
These iron compounds and Ni compounds may be hydrates or anhydrides. When using a compound that is hardly soluble in water, such as iron oxide or nickel oxide, an aqueous solution may be prepared by dissolving in water using an appropriate acid such as hydrochloric acid or nitric acid.
[0021]
The concentration of iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II) in the solution may be set as appropriate according to the desired composite compound composition corresponding to LiFe _1-x Ni _x O _2. Usually, it is about 0.01-2 mol / l, More preferably, it is about 0.1-1 mol / l. The ratio of iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II) can be appropriately set according to the ratio of substitution of iron in the obtained composite oxide.
[0022]
In the alkali treatment step for obtaining a suspension containing a coprecipitate from the mixed solution of iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II), a known alkaline substance can be used. For example, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, ammonia or the like can be used in the form of an aqueous solution. Among these alkalis, potassium hydroxide is more preferable. The amount of alkali used is such that the above mixed solution becomes completely alkaline (pH ≧ 11) in order to satisfactorily control the composition ratio between Fe and Ni.
[0023]
The air oxidation of the coprecipitate obtained as described above is performed in a suspension state. As a method of air oxidation, the suspension may be merely stirred and shaken in a surface contact state with air. However, in order to further promote the oxidation, it is preferable to blow air into the suspension. Moreover, when blowing in air, it is more preferable to carry out stirring and shaking. The air supply rate is preferably about 1 to 5 liters / minute with respect to 1 liter of the suspension. The reaction temperature during air oxidation is usually about 0 to 40 ° C., and the reaction time is usually about 1 to 7 days (more preferably about 3 to 5 days). In air oxidation, oxygen gas may be used instead of air as an oxygen source.
[0024]
The aging of the oxidation-treated product obtained as described above is carried out by allowing the suspension containing the product to stand while keeping it at 100 ° C. or lower. The aging temperature is usually about 40 to 100 ° C. (more preferably about 60 to 90 ° C.), and the aging period is usually about 1 to 15 days (more preferably about 3 to 10 days).
[0025]
After completion of aging, the precipitate is washed with distilled water to remove alkali. Next, Ni-containing α-FeOOH is obtained by collecting the precipitate according to a known solid-liquid separation method such as filtration.
[0026]
Hydrothermal treatment of the Ni-containing α-FeOOH precipitate obtained above is performed in a state where the precipitate is suspended in a mixed solution of a lithium compound and an alkali. Examples of the lithium compound include lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium nitrate, and lithium carbonate, and one or more of these can be used. Among these lithium compounds, lithium hydroxide is preferable. The amount of the lithium compound used is not particularly limited, but the amount of lithium ions in the above mixed solution is usually about 0.1 to 20 mol / l, more preferably about 10 to 15 mol / l. Examples of the alkali include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and ammonia. Of these alkalis, potassium hydroxide is preferred. The amount of alkali used in the mixed solution is usually about 1 to 100 mol / l, more preferably about 50 to 80 mol / l.
[0027]
Next, the obtained suspension is hydrothermally treated to obtain a layered rock salt type complex oxide represented by a composition formula LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5).
[0028]
The hydrothermal treatment reaction can be performed by loading a container containing the suspension into a hydrothermal reaction apparatus (for example, a known autoclave). The hydrothermal treatment temperature is usually 400 ° C. or lower, more preferably about 101 to 300 ° C. The time for the hydrothermal treatment is usually about 5 hours to 30 days, more preferably about 8 hours to 15 days. The hydrothermal treatment may be performed under saturated water vapor pressure.
[0029]
After the hydrothermal reaction, the reaction product is washed with water as necessary, and the reaction product is recovered by a known solid-liquid separation method such as filtration. The recovered reaction product may be further dried as necessary. The hydrothermal reaction product may be dried by either a natural drying method or a heat drying method, or both methods may be used in combination. When performing heat drying, the drying temperature is usually about 60 to 100 ° C.
[0030]
【Example】
Hereinafter, examples will be shown to further clarify the features of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of these examples.
[0031]
Example 1
Weigh 60.82g of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate and 5.94g of nickel (II) chloride hexahydrate in a 1000ml beaker (Fe: Ni molar ratio 9: 1), add 400ml of distilled water and mix An aqueous solution was prepared. While stirring this mixed aqueous solution, 400 ml of a 4.5 mol / l potassium hydroxide aqueous solution was added dropwise to form a coprecipitate. While the suspension containing the coprecipitate was stirred, air was blown into the suspension for 3 days to oxidize. The suspension after the oxidation treatment was transferred to a polypropylene container, and the container was sealed, and then aged for 7 days while maintaining at 80 ° C. in an electric dryer. Then, it cooled to room temperature vicinity, the deposit was wash | cleaned with distilled water, and the alkali was removed. The precipitate after washing with distilled water was separated by suction filtration, dried and pulverized to obtain Ni-containing α-FeOOH.
On the other hand, 52.5 g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate and 309 g of potassium hydroxide were weighed in a polytetrafluoroethylene beaker, 100 ml of distilled water was added, and the suspension was prepared by stirring. Next, 2.7 g of the Ni-containing α-FeOOH obtained above was added to this suspension, and after sufficiently stirring, the polytetrafluoroethylene beaker was allowed to stand in an autoclave and saturated water vapor pressure (about 2.2 MPa). ) And hydrothermally treated at 220 ° C. for 10 hours. After completion of the hydrothermal treatment, the autoclave apparatus was cooled to near room temperature, and the resulting precipitate was washed with distilled water, filtered and dried to obtain a powdery product (sample No. 1).
[0032]
Table 1 shows the results of chemical analysis of this sample No. 1 by ICP.
[0033]
[Table 1]

[0034]
The Fe: Ni molar ratio of Sample No. 1 was approximately 9: 1, similar to the Fe: Ni molar ratio at the time of preparing the mixed aqueous solution. The ratio of Li to all transition metals (Fe + Ni) was also close to the theoretical value = 1. Furthermore, the K amount was 1% or less, which was a negligible amount.
The X-ray diffraction pattern of Sample No. 1 is shown in FIG. Since indexing was possible with the unit cell of the layered rock salt type LiFeO _{2 in} Fig. 1 (b), sample No. 1 shows that the Fe in LiFeO ₂ is replaced by Ni while maintaining the layered rock salt type structure. confirmed. From these data, it is clear that Sample No. 1 is a layered rock salt type complex oxide represented by the composition formula LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ .
[0035]
Next, a solution in which LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ obtained above is used as a positive electrode material, Li metal is used as a negative electrode material, and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF ₆ ) is dissolved in a mixed solution of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. FIG. 2 (a) shows an initial charge / discharge curve of a Li / LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ battery produced using a microporous membrane separator made of polyethylene with the electrolyte as an electrolyte. Compared to the initial charge / discharge curve (Fig. 2 (b)) of the battery using LiFeO ₂ containing no foreign metal as the positive electrode material, the initial charge / discharge capacity is increased by using LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ as the positive electrode material. Is recognized.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a Ni-containing lithium iron oxide in which Ni is contained in a layered rock salt type LiFeO ₂ at a specific ratio can be obtained. The Ni-containing lithium iron oxide represented by LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5) can improve the electrochemical activity of the layered rock salt type LiFeO ₂ , When used as a positive electrode material in a secondary battery, the initial charge / discharge capacity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a chart showing X-ray diffraction patterns of layered rock salt type LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ and LiFeO ₂ .
FIG. 2 is a graph showing initial charge / discharge characteristics of two lithium ion secondary batteries using layered rock salt type LiFe _0.9 Ni _0.1 O ₂ and LiFeO ₂ as positive electrode materials, respectively.

Claims (2)

(a) an alkali treatment of a mixed solution containing iron ions (III) and Ni ions (II);
(b) air-oxidizing the produced coprecipitate,
(c) aging the produced oxide at 100 ° C. or lower, and
(d) a layered rock salt represented by the composition formula LiFe _1-x Ni _x O ₂ (0 <x <0.5), characterized by comprising a step of hydrothermally treating the aged product at 400 ° C. or less in an alkaline solution containing a Li compound Type lithium iron oxide production method. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the alkali used in step (a) is potassium hydroxide, and the Li compound-containing alkaline solution used in step (d) is a mixed solution of lithium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

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