JP5597981B2 - Method for producing LiFePO4 - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing LiFePO ₄ and a lithium ion secondary battery.

Conventionally, a layered compound such as LiCoO ₂ or LiNi _1/3 Mn _1/3 Co _1/3 O ₂ or a spinel compound such as LiMn ₂ O ₄ has been used as a positive electrode material (positive electrode active material) of a lithium ion secondary battery. It was. However, these compounds are known to have high raw material costs and low thermal stability and safety problems. LiFePO ₄ having an olivine structure has attracted attention as a compound that overcomes these problems (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2002-151082 A JP 2006-190528 A

The present invention intensively studied, due to the trivalent iron contained as an impurity in the compound of bivalent iron, which is a raw material of LiFePO _4, the discharge capacity of the lithium ion secondary battery using LiFePO ₄ Found that the decline.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and a method for producing LiFePO ₄ capable of increasing the discharge capacity of a lithium ion secondary battery, and a lithium ion secondary using the LiFePO _4. An object is to provide a battery.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for producing LiFePO _{4 according} to the present invention comprises a mixture containing an iron source having a divalent iron, a lithium source, a phosphoric acid source and a polar solvent, and a mixed gas of hydrogen and an inert gas. And a step of heating the mixture in the sealed container.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the content rate of hydrogen in mixed gas is 0.1-5 volume% with respect to the whole quantity of mixed gas.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the content rate of trivalent iron in an iron source is 880 mass ppm or more and 10 mass% or less with respect to the whole quantity of bivalent iron and trivalent iron.

Lithium-ion secondary battery according to the present invention comprises a LiFePO ₄ obtained by the production method of the LiFePO ₄ according to the present invention as the positive electrode active material.

In the lithium ion secondary battery provided with LiFePO ₄ obtained by the production method according to the present invention as the positive electrode active material, the discharge capacity is increased as compared with the lithium ion secondary battery using LiFePO ₄ obtained by the conventional production method. To do.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lithium ion secondary battery using the manufacturing method and the LiFePO ₄ of the lithium ion secondary battery of the discharge capacity LiFePO ₄ that can increase.

(Method for producing LiFePO ₄ )
Hereinafter, a manufacturing method of the LiFePO ₄ according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, an iron source having divalent iron, a lithium source, a phosphoric acid source, and a polar solvent are mixed to prepare a mixture. In addition, you may prepare a mixture in the airtight container mentioned later.

  An iron source having divalent iron may originally contain trivalent iron as an impurity. The content of trivalent iron in the iron source is preferably 880 mass ppm or more and 10 mass% or less with respect to the total amount of divalent iron and trivalent iron. More preferably, the content of trivalent iron in the iron source is 880 mass ppm or more and 1.16 mass% or less with respect to the total amount of divalent iron and trivalent iron.

When the content of trivalent iron in the iron source is less than 880 mass ppm, the cycle characteristics may be deteriorated as compared with the case where the content of trivalent iron is within the above numerical range. When the content of trivalent iron in the iron source is larger than 10% by mass, a part of the trivalent iron in the iron source is compared with the case where the content of trivalent iron is in the above numerical range. There is a tendency to remain in LiFePO ₄ without being reduced and to impair the crystallinity of LiFePO ₄ and to reduce the discharge capacity. However, the effect of the present invention can be achieved even when the content of trivalent iron is outside the above numerical range.

When the content of trivalent iron in the iron source is adjusted to 880 mass ppm or more, it is estimated that a predetermined amount of trivalent iron may be secured in the synthesized LiFePO ₄ . This trivalent iron is not confirmed by X-ray diffraction, but constitutes Fe ₂ O ₃ or the like in LiFePO ₄ . This Fe ₂ O ₃ exists on the surface of the LiFePO ₄ particles, and as a result of suppressing the side reaction between LiFePO ₄ and the electrolyte (electrolytic solution), it is presumed that the cycle characteristics of the battery are improved. Note that the relationship between the trivalent iron contained in the iron source and the cycle characteristics is not limited to this. Moreover, in order to increase discharge capacity, it is so preferable that the content rate of trivalent iron in an iron source is small.

Examples of the iron source having divalent iron include iron fluoride (FeF ₂ ), iron chloride (FeCl ₂ ), iron bromide (FeBr ₂ ), iron iodide (FeI ₂ ), and iron sulfate (FeSO ₄ ). , Iron phosphate (Fe ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ ), iron oxalate (FeC ₂ O ₄ ), iron acetate ((CH ₃ COO) ₂ Fe), and the like. Iron phosphate can be used as an iron source and a phosphate source. Two or more iron sources may be used in combination.

As the lithium source, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of LiNO ₃ , Li ₂ CO ₃ , LiOH, LiCl, Li ₂ SO ₄ and CH ₃ COOLi can be used. Two or more lithium sources may be used in combination.

As the phosphoric acid source, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of H ₃ PO ₄ , NH ₄ H ₂ PO ₄ , (NH ₄ ) ₂ HPO ₄ and Li ₃ PO ₄ can be used. Li ₃ PO ₄ can be used as a lithium source and a phosphate source. Two or more phosphate sources may be used in combination.

  The iron source, the lithium source and the phosphate source are the number of moles of divalent iron contained in the iron source, the number of moles of lithium contained in the lithium source, and the number of moles of phosphate groups contained in the phosphate source. What is necessary is just to mix | blend so that ratio may become about 1: 1: 1.

  Examples of the polar solvent include water, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, acetone, cyclohexanone, 2-methylpyrrolidone, ethyl methyl ketone, 2-ethoxyethanol, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, Examples thereof include dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. Two or more polar solvents may be used in combination.

The method for producing LiFePO _{4 according} to the present embodiment includes a step of enclosing the mixture described above in a sealed container filled with a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and an inert gas, and heating the mixture in the sealed container. Below, this process is described as a heating process. In the heating step, trivalent iron contained as an impurity in the iron source is reduced by hydrogen gas to become divalent iron. In the heating step, the inside of the sealed container is heated, the temperature of the mixed gas rises, and a part of the polar solvent in the mixture is vaporized, so that the atmospheric pressure in the sealed container rises. Therefore, in the heating step, the mixture is heated while being pressurized, and LiFePO ₄ is synthesized in the mixture.

  In other words, the mixed gas is an inert gas containing hydrogen gas. Examples of the inert gas include nitrogen or a rare gas such as helium and argon. Two or more inert gases may be used in combination.

  It is preferable that the content rate of the hydrogen gas in mixed gas is 0.1-5 volume% with respect to the whole quantity of mixed gas. In other words, the partial pressure of hydrogen gas in the mixed gas is preferably 0.1 to 5% with respect to the total pressure of the mixed gas. More preferably, the content rate of the hydrogen gas in the mixed gas is 3 to 10% by volume with respect to the total amount of the mixed gas. In other words, the partial pressure of hydrogen gas in the mixed gas is more preferably 3 to 10% with respect to the total pressure of the mixed gas.

When the hydrogen gas content in the mixed gas is less than 0.1% by volume, the trivalent iron in the iron source is less likely to be reduced than when the hydrogen gas content is within the above numerical range, Trivalent iron remains in the obtained LiFePO ₄ to deteriorate the crystallinity of LiFePO ₄ and the discharge capacity tends to decrease. When the hydrogen gas content in the mixed gas is greater than 5% by volume, the reactivity (flammability) of the mixed gas increases and the safety of the heating process tends to decrease. However, the effects of the present invention can be achieved even when the hydrogen gas content is outside the above numerical range.

  As the sealed container, for example, a pressure-resistant reaction container having a function of heating and pressurizing the inside may be used like an autoclave. In addition, the airtight container may be provided with the gas introduction pipe | tube which supplies gas into the inside. Moreover, the airtight container may be provided with the gas exhaust pipe which discharges | emits the gas inside the outside. The atmospheric pressure (pressure applied to the mixture) in the hermetic container can be adjusted by supplying the mixed gas into the hermetic container through the gas introduction pipe or discharging the gas in the hermetic container through the gas discharge pipe. The tip of the gas introduction pipe may be disposed in a liquid mixture sealed in a sealed container, and the mixed gas may be supplied into the mixture by the gas introduction pipe, and the mixture may be bubbled. By bubbling, the effect of the present invention becomes remarkable.

In the heating step, the mixture is preferably heated to 100 to 250 ° C. The higher the heating temperature of the mixture, the more the crystal growth is promoted, and it becomes easier to obtain LiFePO ₄ crystals having a large particle size.

If the temperature of the mixture in the heating step is too low, the production and crystal growth of LiFePO ₄ tend not to proceed as compared with the case where the temperature of the mixture is high. As a result, the crystallinity of LiFePO ₄ decreases and the capacity density decreases, so that the discharge capacity of a battery using LiFePO ₄ tends not to increase. On the other hand, if the temperature of the mixture is too high, the crystal growth of LiFePO ₄ proceeds excessively and the Li diffusibility in the crystal tends to decrease. Therefore, the discharge capacity of the battery using LiFePO ₄ obtained tends to be difficult to improve. Further, when the temperature of the mixture is too high, high heat resistance is required in a sealed container, the manufacturing cost of the LiFePO ₄ is increased. By setting the heating temperature of the mixture within the above range, these tendencies can be suppressed. However, even if the heating temperature of the mixture is outside the above numerical range, the effect of the present invention is achieved.

In the heating step, the atmospheric pressure (pressure applied to the mixture) in the sealed container is preferably 0.2 to 4 MPa. For example, when the mixture is heated to 250 ° C. in the heating step, the atmospheric pressure in the sealed container becomes 4 MPa. If the pressure applied to the mixture is too low, the crystallinity of the finally obtained LiFePO ₄ is lowered and the capacity density tends to decrease. If the pressure applied to the mixture is too high, the sealed container is required to have high pressure resistance, and the production cost of LiFePO ₄ tends to increase. By setting the pressure applied to the mixture within the above range, these tendencies can be suppressed. However, the effect of the present invention can be achieved even if the air pressure in the sealed container is outside the above numerical range.

  What is necessary is just to adjust suitably the time which heats a mixture in a heating process according to the quantity of a mixture. The time for heating the mixture in the heating step is preferably 12 to 100 hours, more preferably 12 to 50 hours. However, the effect of the present invention is achieved even when the time for heating the mixture is outside the above numerical range.

After the mixture after the heating step is taken out from the sealed container, the mixture may be reheated. By reheating the mixture, the reaction of the lithium source, the phosphoric acid source, and the iron source that did not react in the heating step can be advanced, or the crystal growth of LiFePO ₄ produced in the sealed container can be promoted. As a result, the capacity density of LiFePO ₄ is improved, and the discharge capacity of a battery using the same tends to be improved.

After preheating the mixture after the heating step at a low temperature, the above-described reheating may be performed. Preheating the mixture removes excess polar solvent from the mixture and turns the mixture into a powder. As a result, when the mixture is reheated, it is possible to prevent impurities from being taken into LiFePO ₄ in the mixture and to uniformize the LiFePO ₄ particle shape.

(Lithium ion secondary battery)
The lithium ion secondary battery according to the present embodiment has a negative electrode and a positive electrode facing each other, a power generation element having a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, an electrolyte containing lithium ions, and these are sealed. Case, one end is electrically connected to the negative electrode, the other end is protruded to the outside of the case, and one end is electrically connected to the positive electrode And a positive electrode lead whose other end protrudes to the outside of the case. The shape of a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator is not specifically limited, A plate shape may be sufficient and a wound body shape may be sufficient. The electrolyte may be a liquid, a solid or a gel.

  The negative electrode has a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer formed on the negative electrode current collector. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer formed on the positive electrode current collector.

The positive electrode active material layer contains LiFePO ₄ obtained by the method for producing LiFePO _{4 according} to this embodiment described above. The positive electrode active material layer may contain an active material other than LiFePO ₄ obtained by the production method of the present embodiment as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

In the method for producing LiFePO _{4 according} to the present embodiment, even if the iron source contains trivalent iron as an impurity, the trivalent iron is reduced by hydrogen gas contained in the mixed gas in the heating step, It becomes divalent iron. Thus, in this embodiment, as compared with the case where a mixed gas does not contain hydrogen gas, to reduce the content of trivalent iron in LiFePO _4, it is possible to improve the crystallinity of the LiFePO _4. As a result, in the lithium ion secondary battery including LiFePO ₄ obtained by the manufacturing method of the present embodiment as the positive electrode active material, the discharge capacity is increased as compared with the battery using LiFePO ₄ obtained by the conventional hydrothermal synthesis method. To do. That is, in this embodiment, in order to increase the discharge capacity of the lithium ion secondary battery, the content of trivalent iron in LiFePO ₄ can be controlled within a desired range.

  As mentioned above, although one suitable embodiment of the present invention was described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

For example, carbon particles may be added to the mixture before the heating step. Thereby, at least a part of LiFePO ₄ is generated on the surface of the carbon particles, and the LiFePO ₄ can be supported on the carbon particles. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the electrical conductivity of the obtained positive electrode active material layer. Examples of substances constituting the carbon particles include carbon black (graphite) such as acetylene black, activated carbon, hard carbon, and soft carbon.

The LiFePO ₄ of the present invention can also be used as an electrode material for electrochemical elements other than lithium ion secondary batteries. Examples of the electrochemical element include a metal lithium secondary battery using an electrode containing LiFePO ₄ as a cathode and metal lithium as an anode, other secondary batteries, and an electrochemical capacitor such as a lithium capacitor. These electrochemical elements can be used for power sources such as self-propelled micromachines and IC cards, and distributed power sources arranged on or in a printed circuit board.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated more concretely based on an Example and a comparative example, this invention is not limited to a following example.

Example 1
1.158 g of lithium phosphate, 1.268 g of iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate and 100 ml of distilled water were charged into the autoclave to prepare a mixed solution. After replacing the gas in the autoclave containing the mixed solution with the mixed gas, the autoclave was sealed.

  Lithium phosphate is a lithium source and a phosphate source. Iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate is a source of iron and contains trivalent iron as an impurity. The content of trivalent iron in iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate is 1.16 with respect to the total amount of divalent iron and trivalent iron contained in iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate. It was mass%. The trivalent iron content was measured by potentiometric titration. Nitrogen gas containing hydrogen gas was used as the mixed gas. The hydrogen gas content in the mixed gas was adjusted to 3% by volume with respect to the total amount of the mixed gas. The nitrogen gas content in the mixed gas was adjusted to 97% by volume.

The sealed autoclave was heated to 180 ° C. for 48 hours, so that the hydrothermal synthesis reaction was allowed to proceed in the sealed container. After the heated autoclave was allowed to cool to room temperature, the contents were taken out and dried at 100 ° C. to obtain a powder sample of Example 1. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the powder sample was measured. From the X-ray diffraction pattern, the powder sample of Example 1 was identified as LiFePO ₄ having an orthorhombic olivine structure.

(Examples 2 to 11, Comparative Example 1)
In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the compounds shown in Table 1 were used as the iron source. In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the amount of iron source added to the mixture was adjusted to the values shown in Table 1. The trivalent iron content in each of the iron sources of Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1 was the value shown in Table 1. In Table 1, the content of trivalent iron in each iron source is described as [Fe (III)]. In addition, each iron source of Examples 2-11 and the comparative example 1 originally contains trivalent iron as an impurity. In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the hydrogen gas content in the mixed gas was adjusted to the values shown in Table 1. In Table 1, the content of hydrogen gas in each mixed gas is described as [H ₂ ]. In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the gases shown in Table 1 were used as the inert gas contained in the mixed gas. In Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the content of the inert gas in the mixed gas was adjusted to the values shown in Table 1.

Except for the above items, the powder samples of Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Each of the powder samples of Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1 was confirmed to be LiFePO ₄ .

[Production of evaluation cell]
A mixture of LiFePO _{4 of} Example 1, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a binder, and acetylene black was dispersed in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent to prepare a slurry. The slurry was prepared so that the weight ratio of LiFePO ₄ , acetylene black, and PVDF was 84: 8: 8. This slurry was applied on an aluminum foil as a current collector, dried, and then rolled to obtain an electrode (positive electrode) on which an active material layer containing LiFePO ₄ of Example 1 was formed.

Next, the obtained electrode and the Li foil as the counter electrode were laminated with a separator made of a polyethylene microporous film interposed therebetween to obtain a laminate (element body). This laminate was put in an aluminum laminator pack, and 1M LiPF ₆ solution was injected as an electrolyte into the aluminum laminate pack, followed by vacuum sealing to produce an evaluation cell of Example 1.

In the same manner as in Example 1, evaluation cells each using LiFePO ₄ of Examples 2 to 11 and Comparative Example 1 were produced.

[Evaluation]
Using the evaluation cells of Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Example 1, the initial discharge capacity (discharge capacity at the first charge / discharge cycle) when the discharge rate was 0.5 C was measured. The measurement results are shown in Table 1. Note that 0.5 C is a current value at which discharge is completed in 2 hours when constant current discharge is performed at 25 ° C.

  As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the discharge capacities of Examples 1 to 11 using a mixed gas containing hydrogen gas were larger than the discharge capacities of Comparative Example 1 using a mixed gas not containing hydrogen gas. It was.

Claims (2)

A mixture containing an iron source having divalent iron, a lithium source, a phosphoric acid source and a polar solvent is enclosed in a sealed container filled with a mixed gas of hydrogen and an inert gas, and the mixture in the sealed container is A heating step ,
The content of trivalent iron in the iron source is 880 mass ppm or more and 10 mass% or less with respect to the total amount of the divalent iron and the trivalent iron.
A method for producing LiFePO ₄ . The hydrogen content in the mixed gas is 0.1 to 5% by volume with respect to the total amount of the mixed gas.
The method for producing LiFePO _{4 according} to claim 1.