JP5752303B2 - Lithium composite oxide sintered plate - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lithium composite oxide sintered plate used for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery.

  As a positive electrode active material layer in a lithium secondary battery (sometimes called a lithium ion secondary battery), a kneaded product of a lithium composite oxide (lithium transition metal oxide) powder and a binder, a conductive agent, or the like is formed. What was formed by doing is known widely (for example, refer patent document 1 etc.). Hereinafter, this configuration is referred to as “powder dispersion type”.

  In such a powder-dispersed positive electrode, a relatively large amount (for example, about 10% by weight) of a binder that does not contribute to capacity is added, so that the packing density of the lithium composite oxide as the positive electrode active material is lowered. Therefore, in such a powder dispersion type configuration, there is much room for improvement in terms of capacity and charge / discharge efficiency.

  Thus, attempts have been made to improve capacity and charge / discharge efficiency by forming the positive electrode or the positive electrode active material layer with a lithium composite oxide sintered plate (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). reference.). In this case, the above-mentioned binder is not contained in the positive electrode or the positive electrode active material layer. For this reason, it is expected that high capacity and good charge / discharge efficiency can be obtained by increasing the packing density of the lithium composite oxide.

JP-A-5-226004 JP-A-8-180904 JP 2001-143687 A

  As described above, when the positive electrode or the positive electrode active material layer is composed of a lithium composite oxide sintered plate, if the filling rate of the lithium composite oxide in the sintered plate is too low (that is, the porosity is too high). ), The effect of improving the performance (particularly capacity) with respect to the above-mentioned powder dispersion type configuration is reduced. In this respect, the positive electrode made of a lithium composite oxide sintered body disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is a low-filling region (with a porosity of 15 to 60%), and has a capacity. The point was not satisfactory.

  On the other hand, in a region where the filling rate of the lithium composite oxide in the sintered plate is too high, the capacity can be increased, but the cycle characteristics (capacity maintenance characteristics when the charge / discharge cycle is repeated) are deteriorated. There was a problem. Such deterioration of the cycle characteristics occurs even when the thickness of the sintered plate is about 10 μm, but it is confirmed that it is particularly remarkable when the thickness of the sintered plate is increased (specifically, 30 μm or more). It was done.

  Therefore, in order to investigate the cause, when the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate in the experimental example in which the cycle characteristics deteriorated was observed with an electron microscope, it was found that cracks occurred in the sintered body plate. . This crack is generated at a grain boundary, that is, a boundary between adjacent regions having different crystal orientations (this crack is hereinafter referred to as “grain boundary crack”). Further, in this experimental example, when the interface between the conductive bonding layer between the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate and the positive electrode current collector and the sintered body plate was observed with an electron microscope, peeling ( It was found that a gap was generated (hereinafter referred to as “bonding interface peeling”).

  This grain boundary crack is considered to be generated by expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice (including expansion and contraction of volume and lattice expansion and contraction not accompanied by volume change) accompanying the entry and exit of lithium ions in the charge / discharge cycle. In addition, it is considered that the peeling at the bonding interface is caused by the tensile or shear stress between the conductive bonding layer and the shape change of the lithium composite oxide sintered body due to the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice. It is done. And, by such grain boundary cracks and joint interface peeling, in the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, the conductive path is cut off and an electrically isolated part (part that cannot contribute to the capacity) is generated, It is considered that the decrease in capacity is a cause of deterioration in cycle characteristics.

  The present invention has been made to cope with such a problem. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a lithium composite oxide sintered plate used for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which can achieve high capacity while maintaining good cycle characteristics.

<Configuration>
The lithium composite oxide sintered plate used for the positive electrode (hereinafter simply referred to as “positive electrode”) of the lithium secondary battery of the present invention has a thickness of 30 μm or more and a porosity of 3 to 30%. The open pore ratio is 70% or more.

“Lithium composite oxide” means Li _x MO ₂ (0.05 <x <1.10, M is at least one transition metal: typically, M is one or more of Co, Ni, and Mn. And typically has a layered rock salt structure. The “layered rock salt structure” is a crystal structure in which a lithium layer and a transition metal layer other than lithium are alternately stacked with an oxygen layer interposed therebetween, that is, a transition metal ion layer and a lithium single layer through oxide ions. Refers to a crystal structure (typically an α-NaFeO ₂ type structure: a structure in which transition metals and lithium are regularly arranged in the [111] axis direction of a cubic rock salt type structure).

  When the lithium composite oxide sintered plate has a layered rock salt structure, the ratio of the diffraction intensity (peak intensity) by the (003) plane to the diffraction intensity by the (104) plane in X-ray diffraction [003] / [104] Is preferably 2 or less, more preferably 1 or less, and even more preferably 0.5 or less. The reason why the cycle characteristics are improved when the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104] is 2 or less is considered as follows.

  The expansion and contraction (volume expansion / contraction) of the crystal lattice accompanying the charge / discharge cycle is greatest in the direction perpendicular to the (003) plane (that is, [003] direction). For this reason, the crack resulting from the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the charge / discharge cycle tends to be parallel to the (003) plane. The (003) plane is a close-packed plane of oxygen and is a chemically and electrochemically inert plane from which lithium ions and electrons cannot enter and exit.

  In this regard, as described above, the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104] is 2 or less, which means that the plate surface of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate or the junction interface with the positive electrode current collector is used. Furthermore, it means that the ratio of the appearance of the (003) plane is reduced in parallel with the plate surface inside the lithium composite oxide sintered plate. And, by reducing the rate at which the (003) plane appears at the bonding interface, the adhesion strength at the bonding interface is increased, peeling is suppressed, and the generation of grain boundary cracks parallel to the plate surface, which particularly affects the capacity reduction. Is effectively suppressed. Therefore, cycle characteristics are improved.

In addition, the lithium composite oxide sintered body “plate” typically includes:
Thickness t,
The minimum dimension in the plate surface direction (direction perpendicular to the thickness direction) is w,
If
It may be formed so that w / t is 3 or more.

  Here, the “thickness direction” is a direction that defines the thickness t of the lithium composite oxide sintered body. Typically, the lithium composite oxide sintered plate is placed on the “horizontal plane”. In a state of being “stable” placed in the direction parallel to the vertical direction. And the dimension of the said lithium complex oxide sintered compact board in this "thickness direction" is called "thickness."

  The “plate surface” means a surface orthogonal to the “thickness direction” of the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate. Since this “plate surface” is the widest surface of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, it may be referred to as a “principal surface”. The “plate surface direction” refers to a direction parallel to the “plate surface” (that is, an in-plane direction). Therefore, the “thickness” of the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate is the shortest distance between two substantially parallel “plate surfaces”. The above-mentioned “thickness direction” is a direction that defines the shortest distance between the two “plate surfaces”.

  The thickness t is obtained, for example, by measuring the distance between the plate surfaces that are observed substantially in parallel when the cross section of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate is observed with an SEM (scanning electron microscope). Further, the minimum dimension w in the plate surface direction is, for example, the diameter when the inscribed circle of the outer shape is drawn when the outer shape of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate is observed by SEM. It is obtained by measuring.

  “Voidage” is a volume ratio of pores (including open pores and closed pores) in the lithium composite oxide sintered plate of the present invention. “Porosity” is sometimes referred to as “porosity”. This “porosity” is calculated from, for example, the bulk density and the true density of the sintered body plate.

  The “open pore ratio” is a volume ratio of open pores to the whole voids (pores) included in the lithium composite oxide sintered plate of the present invention. “Open pores” refer to pores (pores) included in the lithium composite oxide sintered plate of the present invention that communicate with the outside of the sintered plate. This “open pore ratio” is calculated from, for example, the total of open pores and closed pores obtained from the bulk density and the closed pores obtained from the apparent density. The parameters used for calculating the “open pore ratio” can be measured using Archimedes method or the like.

  When the lithium composite oxide sintered plate has a structure in which a large number of primary particles (crystal particles) are bonded, the size (primary particle diameter) of the primary particles is preferably 5 μm or less. It is. This is considered to be due to the following reasons. As the primary particle size decreases, the number of grain boundaries increases. As the number of grain boundaries increases, the internal stress generated during the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the charge / discharge cycle is more favorably dispersed. Even when cracks occur, the more the number of grain boundaries, the better the crack extension is suppressed. Therefore, cycle characteristics are improved.

  The positive electrode current collector may be provided on at least one of the two plate surfaces of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate. That is, the positive electrode current collector can be provided only on one of the two plate surfaces of the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate. Alternatively, the positive electrode current collector may be provided on both surfaces (both two plate surfaces) of the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate.

  When the positive electrode current collector is provided on both surfaces of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, one is formed thicker than the other to support the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, and the other is the lithium composite oxide It can be formed in a structure (such as a mesh shape or a porous shape) that does not hinder the entry and exit of lithium ions in the oxide sintered body plate.

  The positive electrode active material layer and the positive electrode current collector can be bonded via a conductive bonding layer. The conductive bonding layer can be formed of, for example, a conductive powder (metal powder and / or conductive carbon material powder such as acetylene black or graphite) and a binder. The conductive bonding layer may be formed with a thickness of 0.1 to 20 μm, for example. In order to enhance conductivity, a conductive thin film (such as Au, Pt, Ag, Al, Cu, or the like is formed on both surfaces of the lithium composite oxide sintered body or one surface bonded to the conductive bonding layer by sputtering or the like. A thin film made of carbon or the like may be formed.

  When the positive electrode active material layer and the positive electrode current collector are bonded via the conductive bonding layer, the positive electrode active material layer comprising the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate (the outer shape is the positive electrode current collector). (Including those appropriately adjusted by cutting or the like so as to be compatible with the electric current) and the positive electrode current collector may be one-to-one. Alternatively, the positive electrode active material layer formed of a plurality of the lithium composite oxide sintered plates arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally in a plan view may be joined to the positive electrode current collector. That is, the positive electrode is obtained by dividing the lithium composite oxide sintered body plate once obtained into a plurality of parts by cutting or the like, and then arranging them one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally in a plan view. It can be formed by bonding with a current collector. Two or more positive electrode active material layers may be provided. That is, a positive electrode active material layer may be further provided on the positive electrode active material layer bonded to the positive electrode current collector. In this case, the two positive electrode active material layers may be bonded via a conductive bonding layer.

<Action and effect>
In such a configuration, since the lithium composite oxide sintered plate includes pores as described above, the stress generated by the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the entry and exit of lithium ions in the charge / discharge cycle is good due to the pores. (Uniform) is released. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the grain boundary crack accompanying the repetition of a charging / discharging cycle is suppressed as much as possible. Further, the bonding strength is increased by the pores (open pores) included in the interface with the conductive bonding layer. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the above-mentioned joint interface peeling resulting from the shape change of the said lithium complex oxide sintered compact board by expansion / contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the entrance / exit of lithium ion in a charging / discharging cycle is suppressed favorably. . Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the capacity while maintaining good cycle characteristics.

  In particular, when the open pore ratio is 70% or more, the stress is more easily released, and the generation of grain boundary cracks is effectively suppressed. This is considered to be due to the following reasons. As described above, the volume expansion and contraction in the positive electrode is caused by the entry and exit of lithium ions in the crystal lattice. Open pores are pores surrounded by a surface through which lithium ions enter and exit. For this reason, it is considered that the open pores have a higher effect of releasing stress than the closed pores. Moreover, the said joint interface peeling is suppressed effectively by making an open-pore ratio 70% or more. This is thought to be due to the following reason: Open pores can be considered as surface roughness. And, by introducing open pores, the surface roughness increases, so the bonding strength increases due to the anchor effect.

  In addition, by including an electrolyte, a conductive material, or the like in the open pores, the inner wall surface of the open pores functions well as a surface through which lithium ions enter and exit. Therefore, when the open pore ratio is 70% or more, it is preferable in terms of improving the rate characteristics as compared with the case where the ratio of closed pores existing as simple pores (portions that do not contribute to charge / discharge) is large.

  On the other hand, when the porosity is less than 3%, the stress release effect by the pores is insufficient. Further, if the porosity exceeds 30%, the effect of increasing the capacity is remarkably reduced, which is not preferable.

By the way, for example, lithium cobaltate expands in volume during charging (when lithium ions are released), whereas lithium nickelate expands in volume during discharge (when lithium ions enter). For this reason, it is possible to make the volume expansion / contraction during charging / discharging to zero by adjusting the composition ratio as appropriate. However, even in this case, the length of the grating changes. Specifically, Li (Co _0.5 Ni _0.5 ) O ₂ extends in the c-axis direction but contracts in the a-axis direction.

Therefore, the present invention provides a lithium composite oxide having a layered rock salt structure (for example, lithium cobaltate Li _p CoO ₂ [general formula 1 ≦ p ≦ 1.1], lithium nickelate LiNiO ₂ , lithium manganate Li ₂ MnO _3, the nickel-manganese lithium _{Li p (Ni 0.5, Mn 0.5} ) O 2, the general formula _{Li p (Co x, Ni y} , Mn z) O 2 [ general formula 0.97 ≦ p ≦ 1.07, x + y + z = 1], Li _p (Co _x , Ni _y , Al _z ) O ₂ [in the general formula, 0.97 ≦ p ≦ 1.07, x + y + z = 1, 0 <x ≦ 0.25. , 0.6 ≦ y ≦ 0.9, 0 <z ≦ 0.1], a sintered body plate of Li ₂ MnO ₃ and a solid solution of LiMO ₂ (M is a transition metal such as Co or Ni), etc. It is very effective against. As long as the above general formula is satisfied, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Sn, Sb, One or more elements such as Te, Ba, Bi and the like may be included.

Volumetric expansion and contraction is large composition, for _{example, Li p (Co x, Ni} y, Mn z) in _{O 2,} and the case of 0.75 or more mole ratio of nickel, if the molar ratio of cobalt is more than 0.9, _{li p (Co x, Ni y} , Al z) with respect to the molar ratio of nickel in the _{O 2} is 0.7 or more, application of the present invention is particularly effective.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically schematic structure of the lithium secondary battery with which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is an expanded sectional view of the positive electrode shown by FIG. 1A. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the coin cell type lithium secondary battery for battery characteristic evaluation. It is a graph showing the evaluation results of cycle characteristics of LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate embodiments and comparative examples. Is a scanning electron microscope photograph showing the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate embodiments and comparative examples. The evaluation results of the rate characteristics by LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate voids introduced embodiment. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of a structure of the positive electrode shown by FIG. 1B. It is sectional drawing which shows typically schematic structure of the lithium secondary battery with which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows typically schematic structure of the lithium secondary battery with which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the other modification of the positive electrode shown by FIG. 1B.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples and comparative examples. In addition, the description about the following embodiment is specific to the extent possible, merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention in order to satisfy the description requirement (description requirement / practicability requirement) of the specification required by law. It is only what is described in. Therefore, as will be described later, it is quite natural that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations of the embodiments and examples described below. Examples of various changes that can be made to the present embodiment and examples are mainly described at the end, because if inserted during the description of the embodiment, understanding of a consistent description of the embodiment is hindered. Has been.

<Schematic configuration of lithium secondary battery>
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a lithium secondary battery 10 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1A, the lithium secondary battery 10 of this embodiment includes a battery case 11, a separator 12, an electrolyte 13, a negative electrode 14, and a positive electrode 15.

  The separator 12 is provided so as to bisect the inside of the battery case 11 into a negative electrode 14 side and a positive electrode 15 side. That is, the negative electrode 14 and the positive electrode 15 are provided in the battery case 11 so as to face each other with the separator 12 therebetween. An electrolyte 13 is accommodated in the battery case 11.

  As the electrolyte 13, for example, a liquid electrolyte can be suitably used from the viewpoint of electrical characteristics and ease of handling. As such a liquid electrolyte, a non-aqueous solvent type prepared by dissolving an electrolyte salt such as a lithium salt in a non-aqueous solvent such as an organic solvent is preferably used. However, polymer electrolytes, gel electrolytes, organic solid electrolytes, and inorganic solid electrolytes can also be used as the electrolyte 13 without problems. It is to be noted that the electrolyte is filled or penetrated in the open pores provided in the positive electrode active material layer (positive electrode active material layer 15b in FIG. 1B described later), and lithium ions enter and leave the positive electrode active material. Is preferable in that it becomes active.

  The non-aqueous solvent is not particularly limited. For example, chain esters such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, and methyl propion carbonate; high dielectric constants such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and vinylene carbonate A cyclic ester; a mixed solvent of a chain ester and a cyclic ester can be used, and a mixed solvent with a cyclic ester having a chain ester as a main solvent is particularly suitable.

As the electrolyte salt to be dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent described above, for _{example, LiClO 4, LiPF 6, LiBF} 4, LiAsF 6, LiSbF 6, LiCF 3 SO 3, LiC 4 F 9 SO 3, LiCF 3 CO 2, Li 2 C ₂ F ₄ (SO ₃ ) ₂ , LiN (RfSO ₂ ) (Rf′SO ₂ ), LiC (RfSO ₂ ) ₃ , LiC _n F _{2n + 1} SO ₃ (n ≧ 2), LiN (RfOSO ₂ ) ₂ [where Rf And Rf ′ are fluoroalkyl groups], and the like. As this electrolyte salt, only 1 type may be used independently and 2 or more types may be used together.

  Among the above electrolyte salts, a fluorine-containing organic lithium salt having 2 or more carbon atoms is particularly preferable. This is because this fluorine-containing organolithium salt has a large anionic property and is easily ion-separated, so that it is easily dissolved in the above-mentioned solvent. The concentration of the electrolyte salt in the electrolyte 13 as the nonaqueous electrolytic solution is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.3 mol / l or more, more preferably 0.4 mol / l or more, and 1.7 mol / l or less. More preferably, it is preferably 1.5 mol / l or less.

The negative electrode active material according to the negative electrode 14 may be any material that can occlude and release lithium ions. Thus, for example, carbonaceous materials (graphite, pyrolytic carbons, cokes, glassy carbons, fired organic polymer compounds, mesocarbon microbeads, carbon fibers, activated carbon, etc.) are used as the negative electrode active material. obtain. In addition, a part of graphite can be replaced with a metal, oxide, or the like that can be alloyed with lithium. Furthermore, metallic lithium, alloys containing metallic lithium and other elements (silicon, tin, indium, etc.), oxides of silicon, tin, etc. that can be charged and discharged at a low potential close to lithium, Li _2.6 Co _0.4 A lithium storage material such as a nitride of lithium and cobalt such as N can also be used as the negative electrode active material.

  When graphite is used as the negative electrode active material, the voltage at full charge can be regarded as about 0.1 V on the basis of lithium. For this reason, the electric potential of the positive electrode 15 can be calculated for convenience with a voltage obtained by adding 0.1 V to the battery voltage. Therefore, in this case, the charging potential of the positive electrode 15 is easy to control, which is preferable.

  FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the positive electrode 15 shown in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1B, the positive electrode 15 includes a positive electrode current collector 15a and a positive electrode active material layer 15b. The positive electrode current collector 15a is made of a conductive material such as metal (for example, aluminum foil), and is bonded to the positive electrode active material layer 15b via the conductive bonding layer 15c. The positive electrode active material layer 15b is a lithium composite oxide sintered body plate having a thickness of 30 μm or more (specifically, 30 to 200 μm), a porosity of 3 to 30%, and an open pore ratio of 70% or more. It is formed to become.

<Outline of Manufacturing Method of Lithium Composite Oxide Sintered Plate for Positive Electrode Active Material Layer>
The lithium composite oxide sintered body plate as the positive electrode active material layer 15b shown in FIG. 1B is easily and reliably formed by the following manufacturing method, for example.

<< Two-stage process >>
1. Preparation of raw material particles As raw material particles, particles of a transition metal (Co, Ni, Mn, etc.) compound not containing a lithium compound are used. The raw material particles can be appropriately pulverized and classified. Moreover, according to the target composition, multiple types of raw material particles may be mixed as appropriate. Further, for the purpose of promoting grain growth, low melting point oxides such as boron oxide, bismuth oxide and antimony oxide, low melting point chlorides such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and low melting point glasses such as borosilicate glass are 0 0.001 to 30 wt% may be added.

  Furthermore, the pore forming material, which is an additive for forming the above-mentioned desired proportion of pores, can be mixed uniformly as appropriate. As the pore forming material, particles or fibers of a substance that is decomposed (evaporated or carbonized) in the subsequent pre-baking step can be preferably used. Specifically, for example, particles or fibers of an organic synthetic resin such as theobromine, nylon, graphite, phenol resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or foamable resin are suitably used as the pore forming material. Can be. Of course, even if there is no such pore forming material, it is possible to form pores having the above-mentioned desired size and ratio by appropriately adjusting the particle size of the raw material particles, the firing temperature in the preliminary firing step, and the like. It is.

2. Forming Step of Raw Material Particles By forming the raw material particles or a mixture thereof into a sheet, an “independent” sheet-like molded body can be obtained. Here, the “independent” sheet (sometimes referred to as “self-supporting film”) refers to a sheet that can be handled independently from another support (a thin piece having an aspect ratio of 5 or more). Also included). That is, the “independent” sheet does not include a sheet fixed to another support (substrate or the like) and integrated with the support (unseparable or difficult to separate).

  Sheet forming can be performed by various known methods. That is, for example, a doctor blade type sheet forming machine (doctor blade method), a drum dryer, a disk dryer, a screen printer, or the like can be used for sheet forming. The thickness of the sheet-like molded body is appropriately set so that the desired thickness is obtained after firing.

3. Preliminary firing step of molded body The sheet-like molded body obtained by the above-described molding step is fired at a relatively low temperature (for example, 700 to 1200 ° C) prior to a lithium introduction step described later. As a result, a porous sheet-like intermediate fired body containing a large number of relatively large pores is obtained. For example, the temporary firing step is performed in an air atmosphere in a state where the molded body is placed on a zirconia setter that has been embossed.

4). Lithium introduction process Lithium is introduced into the intermediate fired body by heat-treating the intermediate fired body obtained by the above-described preliminary firing process with a lithium compound. As a result, an “independent” sheet-like lithium composite oxide sintered plate for a positive electrode active material layer is obtained. Such a lithium introducing step is performed, for example, in a crucible.

Examples of the lithium compound include various lithium salts such as lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate, lithium acetate, lithium peroxide, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium oxalate, lithium citrate, lithium methoxide, lithium ethoxide, Lithium alkoxides such as can be used. The lithium compound is added so that the molar ratio Li / M between lithium and M in the sintered body plate represented by the general formula Li _x MO ₂ is 1 or more.

  When lithium is introduced into the porous sheet-like intermediate fired body obtained by the above-described preliminary firing step, the pores in the intermediate fired body are reduced, and the desired ratio as described above is obtained.

<< One-step process >>
1. Preparation of raw material particles As raw material particles, particles obtained by appropriately mixing particles of compounds such as Li, Co, Ni, and Mn are used so that the composition after synthesis is a positive electrode active material LiMO ₂ having a layered rock salt structure. Alternatively, raw material particles having a composition of LiMO ₂ (synthesized particles) can be used. And the above-mentioned hole forming material is added to the raw material particles.

  A lithium compound may be added in an excess of about 0.5 to 30 mol% for the purpose of promoting grain growth or compensating for volatile components during the heat treatment step described later. Further, for the purpose of promoting grain growth, 0.001 to 30 wt% of a low melting point oxide such as bismuth oxide or a low melting point glass such as borosilicate glass may be added.

In particular, when a relatively thick sintered body plate having a thickness of 50 μm or more is produced, LiMO ₂ having a thickness of about 0.5 to ₂₀ μm and oriented on the plate surface other than the (003) plane for the purpose of enhancing the orientation. 2-30 wt% of plate-like oriented particles may be added. Such plate-like oriented particles are dispersed while the plate surface is parallel to the sheet surface by a sheet forming method with a shearing force such as a doctor blade method, and the surrounding raw material particles are incorporated in the firing step. Growing has the effect of increasing the orientation. Such plate-like oriented particles can be obtained, for example, in the method for producing a sintered body plate described in the present application, by setting the sheet thickness to 20 μm or less and appropriately crushing after firing.

2. Forming Step of Raw Material Particles An “independent” sheet-like molded body is obtained by sheet-molding a mixture of raw material particles and pore forming material. Such a sheet forming step is the same as the above-described two-stage process.

3. Heat treatment (firing) step of the formed body The sheet-like formed body obtained by the above-described forming step is heat-treated at a relatively high temperature (for example, 1200 ° C. to 1500 ° C.) for the purpose of growing crystals while forming pores ( By firing, an “independent” sheet-like lithium composite oxide sintered body plate for a positive electrode active material layer is obtained. This heat treatment step can be performed, for example, in an oxygen atmosphere in a state where the molded body is placed on a zirconia setter that has been embossed.

<Evaluation method and evaluation results>
In order to evaluate the battery characteristics, a coin cell type battery having the same shape as the CR2032 type was prepared as follows. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the coin cell type lithium secondary battery 10.

  What prepared the positive electrode active material layer 15b which is the obtained "independent" sheet-like lithium complex oxide sintered board in the magnitude | size of about (phi) 5-10 mm is prepared. On the aluminum foil as the positive electrode current collector 15b, acetylene black and PVdF were weighed so as to have a mass ratio of 1: 0.6 and mixed with an appropriate amount of NMP as a solvent to form a paste. Screen print. The sintered body plate was placed so as to be inside the printed pattern in an undried state, and dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes to complete the joining, thereby producing the positive electrode 15. The thickness of the conductive bonding layer 15c was 10 to 20 μm.

Between the positive electrode can 111 and the negative electrode can 112 constituting the battery case 11, the positive electrode 15 (disposed so that the positive electrode current collector 15 a faces the positive electrode can 111), the separator 13, and the negative electrode 14 (lithium metal plate). The coin-cell type lithium secondary battery 10 was fabricated by storing the layers stacked in this order, filling the liquid electrolyte 13, and sealing with a gasket 113. The liquid electrolyte 13 was prepared by dissolving LiPF ₆ at a concentration of 1 mol / L in an organic solvent in which ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) were mixed at an equal volume ratio. It is.

  Using the battery (coin cell) produced as described above, the cycle characteristics (capacity maintenance ratio) were evaluated.

  Cycle characteristics (capacity maintenance ratio): With respect to the fabricated battery, with a test temperature of 20 ° C., (1) 1C rate constant current-constant voltage up to 4.2V, and (2) 1C rate constant current 3 Cycle charge / discharge was repeated to discharge to 0.0V. The capacity retention rate (%) was obtained by multiplying the value obtained by dividing the discharge capacity of the battery after the end of the cycle charge / discharge by the initial value by 100.

  Rate characteristics: With respect to the manufactured battery, under a current condition that the test temperature is 20 ° C., constant current charging is performed at a current value of 0.1 C rate until the battery voltage becomes 4.2 V, and then the battery voltage is maintained at 4.2 V. The charging / discharging operation of charging for 10 minutes after charging at constant voltage until the current value decreases to 1/20, and then discharging at constant current until the battery voltage reaches 3.0 V at a current value of a predetermined rate, The rate characteristics were evaluated.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing evaluation results of cycle characteristics by the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plates of the embodiment and the comparative example. Here, (i) in FIG. 3 is an evaluation result of the cycle characteristics of a LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate with no voids introduced as a comparative example. Moreover, (ii) is an evaluation result of cycle characteristics by the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate (thickness 30 μm) into which voids are introduced according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3 (i), in the LiCoO ₂ ceramics plate in which no voids are introduced, the cycle characteristics deteriorate as the thickness increases, and it is confirmed that the cycle characteristics are particularly markedly deteriorated when the thickness is 30 μm. It was done. On the other hand, as shown in (ii) in FIG. 3, a remarkable improvement in cycle characteristics was confirmed when the thickness was 30 μm by introducing the gap.

FIG. 4 is a scanning electron micrograph observing the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plates of the embodiment and the comparative example. (I) in FIG. 4 shows a comparative example of a LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate into which no voids are introduced, immediately after the coin cell is assembled, after being disassembled again and taking out only the ceramic plate (left photo), and 50 cycles of charge. It is the scanning electron micrograph of the external appearance in the state (right photograph) which decomposed | disassembled and took out only the ceramic board after discharge. (Ii) in FIG. 4 is a scanning electron micrograph of a cross section of a LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate with no voids introduced as a comparative example. (Iii) in FIG. 4 is a scanning electron micrograph of the cross section of the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate of the embodiment into which voids have been introduced (porosity 8%).

As shown in (i) of FIG. 4, in the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate with no voids introduced as a comparative example, it was confirmed that grain boundary cracks occurred after 50 cycles of charge and discharge. It was. This grain boundary crack is considered to be due to internal stress generated by the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the entry and exit of lithium ions in the charge / discharge cycle. Furthermore, after 50 cycles of charging / discharging, it was confirmed that when the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate with no voids introduced was peeled from the current collector, the conductive bonding layer peeled off at the interface with the ceramic plate in a region of 50% or more. It was done. The deterioration of cycle characteristics in these LiCoO ₂ ceramic plates into which voids are not introduced is due to the occurrence of such intergranular cracks and peeling of the bonding interface with the conductive bonding layer, and the conductive path is cut in the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate. It is thought that the cause is that the capacity is reduced due to the occurrence of electrically isolated parts (parts that cannot contribute to the capacity).

Therefore, the inventor of the present invention, in order to relieve the internal stress generated by the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the entry and exit of lithium ions in the charge and discharge cycle, and to increase the bonding strength with the conductive bonding layer, In the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate, voids were introduced in the above range. Thereby, as mentioned above, the remarkable improvement effect of cycling characteristics was confirmed. Further, FIG. 5 shows the evaluation results of the rate characteristics by the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate of the embodiment into which voids are introduced. As shown in FIG. 5, it was confirmed that not only the cycle characteristics but also the rate characteristics were improved by introducing the gap.

<Specific example>
Hereinafter, specific examples of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate as the positive electrode active material layer 15b described above and evaluation results of the specific examples will be described in more detail.

<< Specific Example 1: Cobalt-based composition >>
First, Table 1 shows conditions for preparing Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-9 for the LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate.

  The creation conditions in Experimental Examples 1-2 and 1-4 in Table 1 are as follows (two-step process: no pore forming material).

(1) Slurry preparation: 100 parts by weight of Co ₃ O ₄ raw material particles obtained by pulverizing and classifying Co ₃ O ₄ powder (particle size: 1-5 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and a dispersion medium (toluene) : 100 parts by weight of isopropanol = 1: 1), 10 parts by weight of binder (polyvinyl butyral: product number “BM-2”, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), plasticizer (DOP: Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, black) 4 parts by weight of Kim Kasei Co., Ltd. and 2 parts by weight of a dispersant (product name “Leodol SP-O30”, manufactured by Kao Corporation) were mixed. The mixture was defoamed by stirring under reduced pressure and adjusted to a viscosity of 3000 to 4000 cP. The viscosity was measured with an LVT viscometer manufactured by Brookfield (the same applies hereinafter).

  (2) Sheet forming: The slurry prepared as described above was formed into a sheet shape on a PET film by a doctor blade method so that the thickness after drying was 30 μm.

  (3) Temporary calcination: A zirconia setter (dimensions 90 mm square, 1 mm height) in which a sheet-like molded body peeled off from a PET film was cut into a 70 mm square with a cutter and subjected to embossing with a protrusion size of 300 μm. It was placed in the center, fired at a predetermined temperature (intermediate fired body firing temperature) in the air atmosphere for 5 hours, and then cooled at a temperature lowering rate of 200 ° C./h, and the part not welded to the setter was taken out.

(4) Lithium introduction: LiNO ₃ powder (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) was sprinkled on the Co ₃ O ₄ ceramic sheet obtained in this way so that Li / Co = 1.2, and the inside of the crucible (atmosphere) In the atmosphere), a LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate for a positive electrode active material layer 15b having a thickness of 30 μm and an “independent” sheet was obtained by heat treatment at 840 ° C. for 20 hours.

  The preparation conditions in Experimental Examples 1-3 and 1-5 in Table 1 are as follows (two-stage process: addition of pore forming material).

  A slurry was prepared in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1-2 described above except that the pore forming material was added. As the pore forming material, a fibrous material (product name “Ceresh PC10S”: manufactured by Daicel Finechem Co., Ltd.) or a spherical material (nylon powder: manufactured by Sumitomo Enviro Science Co., Ltd.) was used. The slurry thus prepared was molded into a sheet on a PET film in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1-2 and the like described above.

The sheet-like molded body peeled off from the PET film was cut into a 70 mm square with a cutter, placed in the center of the above-mentioned zirconia setter, and fired at 900 ° C. (intermediate fired body firing temperature) for 10 hours in the air atmosphere. The temperature was decreased at a temperature decrease rate of 200 ° C./h, and the portion not welded to the setter was taken out. By introducing lithium into the thus obtained Co ₃ O ₄ ceramic sheet in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1-2 and the like, an “independent” sheet-like positive electrode active material having a thickness of 30 μm was obtained. A layered LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate was obtained.

  The production conditions in Experimental Examples 1-1 and 1-6 to 1-9 in Table 1 are as follows (one-step process).

(1) Slurry preparation: Co ₃ O ₄ raw material particles (particle size 0.3 μm) obtained by pulverizing Co ₃ O ₄ powder (particle size 1-5 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and Li ₂ CO ₃ powder (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) and the Li / Co (molar ratio) = 1.0 were mixed so that the raw material powder 100 parts by weight, except for using a pore-forming agent described above, above A slurry was prepared in the same manner as in each of the experimental examples (however, the slurry viscosity was 500 to 700 cP).

  (2) Sheet forming: The slurry prepared as described above was formed into a sheet shape on a PET film by a doctor blade method so that the thickness after drying was 30 μm.

(3) Heat treatment: The sheet-like molded body peeled off from the PET film was cut into a 70 mm square with a cutter, placed on the center of the above-mentioned zirconia setter, and 900 in an oxygen atmosphere (oxygen partial pressure 0.1 MPa). After the heat treatment at 10 ° C. for 10 hours, the portion not welded to the setter was taken out to obtain an “independent” sheet-like positive electrode active material layer LiCoO ₂ ceramic plate having a thickness of 30 μm.

The evaluation results of the experimental examples shown in Table 1 are shown in Table 2. The “capacity maintenance ratio” in Table 2 is a value after 50 cycles of charge / discharge. The “porosity” is a value calculated from the relative density (porosity), which is a value obtained by dividing the bulk density of the sintered body plate obtained by the Archimedes method by the true density obtained using a pycnometer. = 1-relative density). In the measurement of the bulk density, boiling treatment was performed in water in order to sufficiently expel the air present in the pores. For samples with small pore diameters, the pores were impregnated with water in advance using a vacuum impregnation device (device name “Sitback” manufactured by Struers) and then boiled. Furthermore, the “open pore ratio” is a value obtained by calculation from the closed porosity and the total porosity (open pore ratio = open pores / total pores = open pores / (open pores + closed pores)). The closed porosity is obtained from the apparent density measured by the Archimedes method. The total porosity is determined from the bulk density measured by the Archimedes method.

  As is clear from Tables 1 and 2, in Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-7 in which the porosity is 3 to 30% and the open pore ratio is 70% or more, even after 50 cycles of charge and discharge are completed. A good capacity retention rate was obtained. On the other hand, in Experimental Example 1-8 in which the porosity is lower than the predetermined range, and in Experimental Example 1-9 in which the open pore ratio is lower than the predetermined range, the cycle characteristics (capacity after 50 cycles of charge / discharge end) Maintenance rate) has dropped dramatically. This is considered to be due to the following reasons.

  As in Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-7, the stress generated by the expansion and contraction of the crystal lattice accompanying the entry / exit of lithium ions in the charge / discharge cycle by containing the pores in a predetermined ratio so that the porosity falls within the predetermined range. However, the pores are favorably (uniformly) opened by the pores. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the grain boundary crack accompanying the repetition of a charging / discharging cycle is suppressed as much as possible. In particular, when the open pore ratio is 70% or more, the stress is more easily released, and the generation of grain boundary cracks is effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the bonding strength between the positive electrode active material layer ceramic plate and the conductive bonding layer is increased, and bonding interface peeling is effectively suppressed. Therefore, according to Experimental Examples 1-1 to 1-7, the capacity can be increased while maintaining good cycle characteristics.

  Furthermore, when the electrolyte permeates into the open pores, the inner wall surface of the open pores functions well as a surface through which lithium ions enter and exit. Therefore, by setting the open pore ratio to 70% or more, the rate characteristic is improved as compared with the case where the closed pore ratio is large.

  On the other hand, in Experimental Example 1-8 in which the porosity is less than 3%, and in Experimental Example 1-9 in which the open pore ratio is less than 70%, the stress release effect due to the pores (granular boundary crack generation suppression effect), The bonding interface peeling suppression effect is insufficient. For this reason, the cycle characteristics were significantly reduced.

  Next, the peak intensity ratio [[003] / [104], which is the ratio of the diffraction intensity (peak intensity) of the (003) plane to the diffraction intensity of the (104) plane, was evaluated in X-ray diffraction. XRD (X-ray diffraction) measurement was performed by the following method.

  A ceramic plate for a positive electrode active material layer processed to a size of about φ5 to 10 mm was placed on a sample folder for XRD measurement. Using an XRD apparatus (product name “RINT-TTRIII” manufactured by Rigaku Corporation), the XRD profile when the surface of the ceramic plate for the positive electrode active material layer is irradiated with X-rays is measured, and the diffraction intensity by the (104) plane The ratio [003] / [104] of the diffraction intensity (peak height) by the (003) plane to (peak height) was determined. According to the above method, a diffraction profile is obtained by a crystal plane that is parallel to the crystal plane of the plate surface, that is, a crystal plane that is oriented in the plate surface direction.

In order to evaluate the influence of the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104], Experimental Examples 1-10 to 1-13 having different degrees of orientation were prepared with the porosity and open pore ratio being constant. In Experimental Examples 1-10 to 1-13, the same porosity and open pore ratio (void ratio 8) as in Experimental Example 1-5 were obtained by making the raw material particle diameter and intermediate fired body firing temperature the same as in Experimental Example 1-5. %, Open pore ratio 98%), and by appropriately changing the conditions in the lithium introduction step (type and addition amount of lithium compound and treatment temperature: see Table 3), the degree of orientation was different. Is. The evaluation results are shown in Table 4.

  As is clear from the results shown in Table 4, in Examples 1-5, 1-10, and 1-11 in which the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104] is 2 or less, good cycle characteristics are obtained. was gotten. On the other hand, in Experimental Examples 1-12 and 1-13 in which the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104] exceeds 2, the cycle is more than in Experimental Examples 1-5, 1-10, and 1-11 that are 2 or less. Characteristics deteriorated.

In addition, the ceramic plate for the positive electrode active material layer of the present embodiment has a structure in which a large number of primary particles (crystal particles) are combined (scanning electron microscope of a cross section shown in (iii) in FIG. 4). Even in the photograph, the contrast is not so clear, but it can be confirmed.) Therefore, in order to evaluate the influence of the primary particle diameter, Experimental Examples 1-14 to 1-17 having different primary particle diameters were prepared with the porosity and the pore diameter being constant. Experimental Examples 1-14 to 1-17 have the same porosity and open pore ratio (void ratio 8) as Experimental Example 1-5 by making the raw material particle diameter and the intermediate fired body firing temperature the same as Experimental Example 1-5. %, Open pore ratio 98%), and by appropriately changing the conditions in the lithium introduction process (type and amount of lithium compound, and treatment temperature: see Table 5), the primary particle size is different. It is a thing.

The primary particle size was measured as follows: electron microscope observation of a cross section parallel to the plate surface of the ceramic plate for the positive electrode active material layer by processing a thin piece to a thickness of about 80 nm by FIB (focused ion beam) A sample was created. Using a transmission electron microscope, the magnification at which 10 or more primary particles were in the field of view was selected, and a bright field image of the sample was taken. For the 10 primary particles in the obtained bright-field image, the diameters when inscribed circles were drawn in the grains were determined, and the average value of these was taken as the primary particle diameter. Table 6 shows the evaluation results of Experimental Examples 1-14 to 1-17.

  As is clear from the results shown in Table 6, in Examples 1-5, 1-14, and 1-15 in which the primary particle diameter is 5 μm or less, good cycle characteristics were obtained. On the other hand, in Experimental Examples 1-16 and 1-17 in which the primary particle diameter exceeds 5 μm, the cycle characteristics deteriorated.

<< Specific Example 2: Nickel-based composition >>
Next, Table 7 shows conditions for creating Experimental Examples 2-1 to 2-9 for the Li (Ni, Co, Al) O ₂ ceramic plate.

  The creation conditions in Experimental Examples 2-2 and 2-4 in Table 7 are as follows (two-step process: no pore forming material).

(1) Slurry preparation: NiO powder (particle size 1-10 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 75.1 parts by weight, Co ₃ O ₄ powder (particle size 1-5 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 21 By mixing and grinding 5 parts by weight and 3.4 parts by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ powder (particle size 1-10 μm, Showa Denko KK) and heat-treating at 1000 ° C. for 5 hours in an air atmosphere, (Ni _0.75 , Co _0.2 , Al _0.05 ) O powder was synthesized.

100 parts by weight of (Ni _0.75 , Co _0.2 , Al _0.05 ) O raw material particles obtained by pulverizing this powder in a pot mill, and 100 parts by weight of a dispersion medium (toluene: isopropanol = 1: 1) And 10 parts by weight of a binder (polyvinyl butyral: product number “BM-2”, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 4 parts by weight of a plasticizer (DOP: Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, manufactured by Kurokin Kasei Co., Ltd.) , 2 parts by weight of a dispersant (product name “Leodol SP-O30”, manufactured by Kao Corporation) was mixed. The mixture was defoamed by stirring under reduced pressure and adjusted to a viscosity of 3000 to 4000 cP.

  (2) Sheet forming: The slurry prepared as described above was formed into a sheet shape on a PET film by a doctor blade method so that the thickness after drying was 30 μm.

  (3) Temporary calcination: A sheet-like molded body peeled off from the PET film is cut into a 50 mm square with a cutter, placed on the center of the above-mentioned zirconia setter, and a predetermined temperature (intermediate calcination body firing temperature). ), The atmosphere in the firing furnace was replaced with an oxygen atmosphere, the temperature was lowered to room temperature at 200 ° C./h, and the portion not welded to the setter was taken out.

(4) Lithium introduction: The (Ni _0.75 , Co _0.2 , Al _0.05 ) O ceramic sheet thus obtained and LiOH powder (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) were mixed in a molar ratio of Li / (NiCoAl) = 3.0, and heat treatment is performed in an oxygen atmosphere (0.1 MPa) at 775 ° C. for 48 hours, whereby “independent” sheet-form positive electrode active material layer Li _1.0 It was obtained _{(Ni 0.75 Co 0.2 Al 0.05)} O 2 ceramic plate.

  The preparation conditions in Experimental Examples 2-3 and 2-5 in Table 7 are the same as in Experimental Example 2-2 and the like described above except that the above-described hole forming material was added (two-step process: hole forming material) Addition). The creation conditions in Experimental Examples 2-1 and 2-6 to 2-9 in Table 7 are as follows (one-step process).

(1) Slurry preparation: Ni _1.50 (Ni _0.75 Co _0.2 Al _0.05 ) O ₂ so as to have a composition ratio of NiO powder (particle size 1-10 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Co., Ltd.) ), Co ₃ O ₄ powder (particle size 1-5 μm, manufactured by Shodo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Al ₂ O ₃ .H ₂ O (particle size 1-3 μm, manufactured by SASOL), and Li ₂ CO ₃ powder ( A slurry was prepared in the same manner as in each of the above experimental examples except that 100 parts by weight of the raw material powder mixed with a particle size of 10-50 μm (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd.) and the above-described pore forming material were used. (However, the slurry viscosity is 500 to 700 cP).

  (2) Sheet forming: The slurry prepared as described above was formed into a sheet shape on a PET film by a doctor blade method so that the thickness after drying was 30 μm.

(3) Heat treatment: The sheet-like molded body peeled off from the PET film was cut into a 70 mm square with a cutter, placed on the center of the above-mentioned zirconia setter, and 750 in an oxygen atmosphere (oxygen partial pressure 0.1 MPa). By heat-treating at 5 ° C. for 5 hours, an “independent” sheet-shaped Li _1.0 (Ni _0.75 Co _0.2 Al _0.05 ) O ₂ ceramic plate for a positive electrode active material layer having a thickness of 30 μm was obtained. Obtained.

The evaluation results of the experimental examples shown in Table 7 are shown in Table 8. As is clear from Table 8, the same results as in the cobalt-based composition described above were obtained in the nickel-based composition.

As for the nickel-based composition, similarly to LiCoO ₂ mentioned above, the peak intensity ratio [003] / [104] and the results of evaluating the effect of primary particle size, shown in Table 9 to Table 12. As is clear from the evaluation results of the experimental examples shown in Tables 9 to 12, the same results as the above LiCoO ₂ were obtained for the nickel-based composition.

<List of examples of modification>
It should be noted that the above-described embodiments and specific examples are merely examples of the realization of the present invention that the applicant considered to be the best at the time of filing of the present application, as described above. The invention should not be limited at all by the above-described embodiments and specific examples. Therefore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments and specific examples without departing from the essential part of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, some modifications will be exemplified. In the following description of the modification, components having the same configurations and functions as the components in the above-described embodiment are given the same name and the same reference numerals in this modification. And about description of the said component, description in the above-mentioned embodiment shall be used suitably in the range which is not inconsistent.

  However, it goes without saying that the modified examples are not limited to the following. The limited interpretation of the present invention based on the description of the above-described embodiment and the following modifications unfairly harms the interests of the applicant (especially rushing the application under the principle of prior application), but improperly imitates the imitator. It is beneficial and not allowed.

  It goes without saying that the configuration of the above-described embodiment and the configuration described in each of the following modifications can be combined in an appropriate manner within a technically consistent range.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration specifically disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, the positive electrode current collector 15a in the positive electrode 15 can be omitted. That is, the lithium composite oxide sintered plate can be used as the positive electrode 15 as it is.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a modification of the configuration of the positive electrode 15 shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 6, the positive electrode 15 is formed by joining a large number of lithium composite oxide sintered plates 15b1 to the positive electrode current collector 15a in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrangement. May be. In this case, the polar active material layer 15b is composed of a plurality of lithium composite oxide sintered plates 15b1 arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally.

  In the case shown in FIG. 6 described above, each lithium composite oxide sintered body plate 15b1 has a predetermined size in plan view with respect to the sintered body plate that has undergone the above-described lithium introduction step. The end may be cut. Alternatively, each lithium composite oxide sintered body plate 15b1 may be obtained by dividing the sintered body plate that has undergone the above-described lithium introduction step into a plurality of one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally in plan view. In these cases, in order to make the gap between the adjacent lithium composite oxide sintered plates 15b1 as small as possible, the adjacent lithium composite oxide sintered plates 15b1 are arranged so as to contact each other, By joining the positive electrode current collector 15a so that the conductive bonding layer 15c does not enter the gap, the electrolyte 13 enters the very narrow gap between the adjacent lithium composite oxide sintered plates 15b1. It is preferable to form the positive electrode 15.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a lithium secondary battery 20 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 7, the lithium secondary battery 20 is a so-called all-solid type battery, and includes a positive electrode current collector 21, a positive electrode active material layer 22, a solid electrolyte layer 23, a negative electrode active material layer 24, and And a negative electrode current collector 25. The lithium secondary battery 20 is formed by laminating a positive electrode active material layer 22, a solid electrolyte layer 23, a negative electrode active material layer 24, and a negative electrode current collector 25 in this order on a positive electrode current collector 21. Has been. The lithium composite oxide sintered body plate of the present invention can be suitably used as the positive electrode active material layer 22 in such a configuration. At this time, it is preferable that the solid electrolyte 23 is continuously filled in the open pores of the positive electrode active material layer 22 from the viewpoint that lithium ion enters and exits from the positive electrode active material.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a lithium secondary battery 30 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 8, the lithium secondary battery 30 is of a so-called polymer type, and includes a positive electrode current collector 31, a positive electrode active material layer 32, a polymer electrolyte layer 33, a negative electrode active material layer 34, A negative electrode current collector 35. The lithium secondary battery 30 is formed by laminating a positive electrode active material layer 32, a polymer electrolyte layer 33, a negative electrode active material layer 34, and a negative electrode current collector 35 in this order on a positive electrode current collector 31. Has been. The lithium composite oxide sintered body plate of the present invention can be suitably used as the positive electrode active material layer 32 in such a configuration.

  The positive electrode current collector 15a may be provided only on one of both plate surfaces of the positive electrode active material layer 15b as shown in FIG. 1B, or as shown in FIG. It may be provided on both plate surfaces of the positive electrode active material layer 15b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the positive electrode current collector 15a is provided on both plate surfaces of the positive electrode active material layer 15b, one positive electrode current collector 15a1 supports the positive electrode active material layer 15b. It may be formed thicker than the other positive electrode current collector 15a2. In this case, the other positive electrode current collector 15a2 is formed in a structure (such as a mesh shape or a porous shape) that does not hinder the entry and exit of lithium ions in the positive electrode active material layer 15b. In addition, this positive electrode collector 15a2 is applicable also to the positive electrode 15 shown by FIG. 1B.

  Further, in this case, the conductive bonding layer 15c1 provided on the one positive electrode current collector 15a1 side and the conductive bonding layer 15c2 provided on the other positive electrode current collector 15a2 side may have the same thickness. Different thicknesses are possible. Moreover, both may be formed with the same material and may be formed with a different material. Furthermore, either one of them can be omitted. That is, one positive electrode current collector 15a1 or the other positive electrode current collector 15a2 can be directly formed on the plate surface of the positive electrode active material layer 15b by coating, sputtering, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, when the positive electrode current collector 15a is provided only on one plate surface of the positive electrode active material layer 15b, the movement direction of lithium ions in the battery reaction at the positive electrode 15 during charge and discharge. And the movement direction of the electrons are opposite to each other, a potential gradient is generated in the positive electrode active material layer 15b. When such a potential gradient is increased, lithium ions are difficult to diffuse.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing the positive electrode current collector 15 a 2 that does not inhibit the entry and exit of lithium ions on the surface of the positive electrode active material layer 15 b on the side in contact with the electrolyte 13, The formation of such a potential gradient is suppressed. Thereby, battery performance improves.

The molar ratio Li / M (Li / Co or Li / (Co, Ni, Mn)) between lithium and M in the sintered body plate represented by the general formula Li _x MO ₂ is not limited to 1.0, It is preferably in the range of 0.9 to 1.2, and more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 1.1. Thereby, a favorable charge / discharge capacity is realized.

  Other modifications not specifically mentioned are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the essential part of the present invention.

  In addition, in each element constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention, elements expressed functionally and functionally include the specific structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications, It includes any structure that can realize this action / function. Furthermore, the contents of the prior application and each publication (including the specification and the drawings) cited in the present specification may be incorporated as appropriate as part of the present specification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lithium secondary battery 11 ... Battery case 12 ... Separator 13 ... Electrolyte 14 ... Negative electrode 15 ... Positive electrode 15a ... Positive electrode collector 15b ... Positive electrode active material layer 15b1 ... Lithium composite oxide sintered board 15c ... Conductive joining layer DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Lithium secondary battery 21 ... Positive electrode collector 22 ... Positive electrode active material layer 23 ... Solid electrolyte layer 24 ... Negative electrode active material layer 25 ... Negative electrode collector 30 ... Lithium secondary battery 31 ... Positive electrode collector 32 ... Positive electrode Active material layer 33 ... Polymer electrolyte layer 34 ... Negative electrode active material layer 35 ... Negative electrode current collector

Claims (2)

Used for the positive electrode of lithium secondary battery,
The thickness is 30 μm or more,
The porosity is 3-30%, and
The open pore ratio is 70% or more,
Lithium composite oxide sintered plate,
It has a structure in which a number of primary particles having a particle diameter of 2.2 μm or less and a layered rock salt structure are combined, and the diffraction intensity of the (003) plane in relation to the diffraction intensity of the (104) plane in X-ray diffraction. The ratio [003] / [104] is 2 or less,
Lithium composite oxide sintered plate.



The lithium composite oxide sintered body plate according to claim 1,
The value obtained by dividing the minimum dimension in the plate surface direction by the thickness of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, which is a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the lithium composite oxide sintered plate, is 3 or more.
Lithium composite oxide sintered plate.