JP6017072B2 - Method for producing amorphous carbon particles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing amorphous carbon particles.

Conventionally, as a rechargeable battery for a hybrid vehicle, a nickel metal hydride battery has been used mainly from the viewpoint of price and weight reduction, but in order to further reduce the weight, the voltage per battery is high, Application of lithium ion secondary batteries with high energy density is expected.
By the way, in the case of an automobile battery such as an electric vehicle that is driven only by a battery, the use of a material having a high energy density and a graphite-based material has been widely studied in order to secure one charging travel distance.
On the other hand, a battery that has a small capacity and that needs to regenerate energy when decelerated by a brake, such as a battery for a hybrid vehicle, demands a battery with a high charge / discharge output density. The use of amorphous carbon particles is being considered.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-252053 JP-A-6-87921 JP-A-8-115723 JP-A-9-153359

  Amorphous carbon particles have a lower true specific gravity than graphite particles (the true specific gravity measurement method using butanol has a graphite-based material of around 2.23, although it depends on the material. The typical hard carbon is as low as 1.5 to 1.6.) Since the particles are hard, it is difficult to improve the electrode density and the pressability of the electrode may be inferior.

Amorphous carbon particles tend to be less conductive than graphite particles. In order to improve charge / discharge input / output characteristics in units of seconds, in which mainly the electron conductivity is dominant, it is considered that the improvement in conductivity is an effective means.
In addition, it is also conceivable that graphite particles having good conductivity are post-added as a conductive auxiliary material at the stage of producing an electrode using amorphous carbon particles. However, for example, when using an electrolytic solution containing propylene carbonate that has excellent low-temperature characteristics and does not solidify even in cold regions, the graphite particles react with the electrolytic solution (decomposition reaction) and are not charged, which adversely affects battery performance. Get out.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above point, and it aims at obtaining the amorphous carbon particle which is excellent in press property and electroconductivity, suppressing the reactivity with electrolyte solution.

  As a result of intensive investigations to achieve the above object, the present inventors have suppressed the reaction with the electrolyte solution by not exposing the graphite particles to the outer surface by including the graphite particles in the amorphous carbon particles. However, the present inventors have found that it is possible to improve the conductivity by reducing the resistance of the particles as a whole, and to increase the electrode density by increasing the true specific gravity, thereby completing the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides the following (1) to (9).
(1) A graphite product is added to and mixed with an amorphous carbon precursor and then subjected to a crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or a graphite after a crosslinking treatment is applied to an amorphous carbon precursor. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Firing the infusible product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles containing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
(2) Graphite particles are added to and mixed with an amorphous carbon precursor and then subjected to a crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or graphite after an amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to a crosslinking treatment. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the first or second crosslinked product to a mechanochemical treatment;
An infusibilization treatment step for obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the mechanochemical treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Firing the infusible product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles containing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
(3) The graphite particles are added to and mixed with the amorphous carbon precursor and then subjected to crosslinking to obtain a first crosslinked product, or the amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to crosslinking and then graphite. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the infusibilized product to a mechanochemical treatment;
Firing the mechanochemically treated product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
(4) The method for producing amorphous carbon particles according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the content of the graphite particles in the amorphous carbon particles is 1 to 50% by mass. .
(5) After the graphite particles are added to and mixed with the amorphous carbon precursor and then subjected to a crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or the amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to a crosslinking treatment and then graphite. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the infusible product; and
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%.
(6) After the graphite particles are added to and mixed with the amorphous carbon precursor and then subjected to a crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or the amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to a crosslinking treatment and then graphite. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the first or second crosslinked product to a mechanochemical treatment;
An infusibilization treatment step for obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the mechanochemical treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the infusible product; and
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%.
(7) The graphite particles are added to the amorphous carbon precursor and mixed to obtain a first crosslinked product, or the amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to the crosslinking treatment and then the graphite. Adding and mixing fine particles to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the infusibilized product to a mechanochemical treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the mechanochemically treated product;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%.
(8) The method for producing amorphous carbon particles according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the true specific gravity of the amorphous carbon particles is 1.600 to 1.700.
(9) The method for producing amorphous carbon particles according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the amorphous carbon particles are a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the amorphous carbon particle which is excellent in pressability and electroconductivity can be obtained, suppressing the reactivity with electrolyte solution.

It is sectional drawing which shows the coin-type secondary battery for evaluation. It is a polarizing microscope photograph which shows the cross section of an amorphous carbon particle.

[Method for producing amorphous carbon particles]
The method for producing amorphous carbon particles of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “the production method of the present invention”) generally includes a cross-linking treatment after adding graphite particles to an amorphous carbon precursor. To obtain a first cross-linked product, or to obtain a second cross-linked product by adding and mixing the graphite particles after the cross-linking treatment to the amorphous carbon precursor, A process for obtaining amorphous carbon particles in which the graphite particles are encapsulated in the particles by performing infusibilization treatment on the first or second cross-linked product and then firing the amorphous carbon. A method for producing particles. Further, a mechanochemical treatment may be performed before and after the infusibilization treatment step.
Hereinafter, the production method of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Amorphous carbon precursor]
The precursor of the amorphous carbon used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known one can be used, for example, pitches such as coal pitch and petroleum pitch; phenol resin, furan resin, etc. Resin; a mixture of pitch and resin; among them, pitches such as coal pitch and petroleum pitch are preferable from the viewpoint of economy and the like. Specific examples of the coal-based pitch include coal tar pitch and coal liquefaction pitch.
When pitch is used, the quinoline insoluble content (QI) content is preferably 0 to 2% by mass from the viewpoint of increasing the battery capacity, but is not particularly limited.

(Graphite particles)
The graphite particles used in the present invention are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include natural graphite; artificial graphite; composite particles obtained by coating these with amorphous carbon; Examples of natural graphite include scaly graphite, scaly graphite, spherical graphite, earthy graphite, and the like, and scaly graphite is particularly preferable. Examples of the artificial graphite include graphitized mesocarbon microbeads, pulverized bulk mesophase, graphitized mesophase carbon fiber, graphitized high crystal needle coke, and the like. . Artificial graphite made of mesocarbon microbeads can be produced by, for example, the production method described in Japanese Patent No. 3866452.

The average particle size of the graphite particles is preferably 1 to 25 μm, more preferably 3 to 15 μm, although it depends on the particle size of the finally obtained amorphous carbon particles. If the particle size of the graphite particles is too small, mixing becomes difficult and difficult to enclose, and if it is too large, the probability that the end face of the graphite particles is exposed is high, but if the particle size is in the above range, The graphite particles are likely to be included, and the possibility of exposure is reduced, so that the effect of the present invention is more excellent.
In the present invention, the average particle diameter of the graphite particles is measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution meter.

[Addition / mixing]
As one aspect of the production method of the present invention, first, graphite particles are added to and mixed with a precursor of amorphous carbon (hereinafter also simply referred to as “precursor”), but the method is not particularly limited, For example, a method of heating the precursor to a fluidized state using an autoclave equipped with a stirrer, adding the graphite particles little by little while stirring, and stirring until uniform becomes possible.

  At this time, the addition amount of the graphite particles is preferably 1 to 50% by mass, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass with respect to the precursor, although it depends on the shape and crystallinity of the graphite particles. . If the amount added is too large, the probability that all of the graphite particles can be included becomes low. If the amount added is too small, the effect of improving the conductivity may be difficult to obtain. Almost all particles can be encapsulated, and the effect of improving conductivity is excellent.

[Crosslinking treatment]
Next, a crosslinking treatment is performed to obtain a crosslinked product (first crosslinked product). Examples of the method for performing the crosslinking treatment include a method using an air blowing reaction; a dry method using an oxidizing gas (air, oxygen); a wet method using an aqueous solution such as nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hypochlorous acid, and mixed acid; Among these, a method using an air blowing reaction is preferable.

  The air blowing reaction is a reaction that raises the softening point by blowing an oxidizing gas (for example, air, oxygen, ozone, or a mixture thereof) while heating. According to the air blowing reaction, for example, a crosslinked product (for example, air blown pitch) having a high softening point of 200 ° C. or higher can be obtained.

According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-153359, the air blowing reaction is a reaction in a liquid phase state, and there is little uptake of oxygen atoms into the carbon material as compared with a crosslinking treatment in a solid phase state. It is known.
In the air blowing reaction, a reaction mainly consisting of oxidative dehydration proceeds, and the polymerization proceeds by biphenyl type cross-linking. Then, by infusibilization and firing (described later), carbon particles having a non-orientated three-dimensional structure in which the cross-linked portion is dominant and having many voids in which lithium is occluded are obtained. Has been.

  The conditions for the air blowing reaction are not particularly limited. However, if the temperature is too high, a mesophase is generated, and if it is low, the reaction rate is slow. Therefore, the reaction temperature is preferably 280 to 420 ° C, and 320 to 380 ° C. More preferred. The amount of the oxidizing gas blown is preferably 0.5 to 15 L / min and more preferably 1.0 to 10 L / min per 1000 g of pitch in the case of air. The reaction pressure may be any of normal pressure, reduced pressure, and increased pressure, and is not particularly limited.

Further, as another aspect of the production method of the present invention, first, the amorphous carbon precursor is subjected to a crosslinking treatment, and then graphite particles are added and mixed to obtain a crosslinked product (second crosslinked product). May be. In addition, as a method of a crosslinking process and addition mixing, the method similar to the method mentioned above is mentioned. Further, the second cross-linked product may be further cross-linked.
Hereinafter, the first cross-linked product and the second cross-linked product are collectively referred to simply as “cross-linked product”.

  The softening point of the crosslinked product thus obtained is preferably 200 to 400 ° C, more preferably 250 to 350 ° C, from the viewpoint of ease of infusibilization.

[Crushing]
The obtained cross-linked product is preferably pulverized to adjust the particle size. The method of pulverization is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be used. Moreover, as an average particle diameter after a grinding | pulverization, 1-50 micrometers is preferable, for example, and 2-15 micrometers is more preferable. Such pulverization may be performed on an infusibilized product to be described later.
In the present invention, the average particle size after pulverization is measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution meter.

[Infusibilization]
Next, an infusibilized treatment is applied to the appropriately pulverized crosslinked product to obtain an infusible treated product. The infusibilization treatment is a kind of cross-linking treatment (oxidation treatment) performed in a solid state, and oxygen is taken into the structure of the cross-linked product, and further cross-linking progresses, so that it becomes difficult to melt at a high temperature.

  The infusibilization method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a dry method using an oxidizing gas (air, oxygen); a wet method using an aqueous solution of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hypochlorous acid, mixed acid, and the like. However, a dry method using an oxidizing gas is preferable.

  As the infusible treatment temperature, it is preferable to select a softening point or lower of the crosslinked product. Moreover, 5-100 degreeC / hour is preferable and the temperature increase rate in the case of performing by a batch type from a viewpoint which prevents a fusion | melting more, and 10-50 degreeC / hour is more preferable.

  Although the other process conditions in an infusible process are not specifically limited, For example, as a blowing amount of oxidizing gas, 1.0-20 L / min is preferable as compressed air, and 2.0-10 L / min is more preferable. The reaction pressure may be any of normal pressure, reduced pressure, and increased pressure, and is not particularly limited.

  The amount of oxygen in the infusibilized product obtained by the infusible treatment is preferably 3 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 5 to 15% by mass, for preventing fusion during firing.

[Baking]
After the infusibilization treatment, the infusible treatment product is fired in an inert gas atmosphere such as reduced pressure or nitrogen to obtain carbon particles. At this time, the heating rate is preferably 50 to 150 ° C./hour, more preferably 80 to 120 ° C./hour. Moreover, 1000-1300 degreeC is preferable and the ultimate temperature (baking temperature) has more preferable 1000-1200 degreeC.

In the present invention, a mechanochemical treatment may be applied to the cross-linked product or the infusibilized product. As a result, the particles are rubbed together, so that the particles obtained after firing are rounded and rounded to improve the electrode density and pressability.
Examples of the apparatus used for the mechanochemical treatment include a pressure kneader, a kneader such as a two-roller, a rotating ball mill, a hybridization system (registered trademark) (manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.), and mechanomicros ("Micros" is registered). Trademarks) (manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.), mechano-fusion system ("Mechano-fusion" is a registered trademark) (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) and the like can be used.
The strength of the mechanochemical treatment such as shear force and compressive force is adjusted according to the conditions such as the average particle diameter and corner shape because the surface treatment is not performed as much as it is weak and the effect of improving pressability is low. In addition, if the strength of the treatment is too strong, an adverse effect such as the possibility that the battery characteristics may be deteriorated due to generation of a new surface due to particle breakage or generation of fine powder is selected.

[Amorphous carbon particles]
The amorphous carbon particles of the present invention are obtained by the above-described production method of the present invention and the like, and are amorphous carbon particles that enclose graphite particles in the particles. FIG. 2 shows a polarizing micrograph of a cross section of the amorphous carbon particle of the present invention. This is a photomicrograph of polarized light micrographs obtained by embedding the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention in a resin, polishing the cross section. In the photograph shown in FIG. 2, white gray portions (a) are amorphous carbon particles, and white needles (b) visible therein are graphitic particles (scale-like). The black part around the white gray part (a) is a resin in which amorphous carbon particles are embedded.

In the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention, the inclusion of graphite particles having lower resistance and higher true specific gravity than amorphous carbon improves the conductivity by reducing the resistance of the particles as a whole, and the entire particles As a result, the true specific gravity can be increased to improve the electrode density, and the pressability can be improved.
At the same time, the reaction with the electrolytic solution can be suppressed by enclosing the graphite particles and not exposing them to the outer surface. Therefore, for example, it is possible to use an electrolyte containing propylene carbonate which has excellent low temperature characteristics and does not solidify even in cold regions, and can suppress adverse effects on battery performance such as poor durability and reduction of conductive paths due to expansion and contraction. .

  In addition, such amorphous carbon particles of the present invention are prepared by adding graphite particles to an infusibilized product after infusible treatment after crosslinking without adding graphitic particles to the raw material before crosslinking treatment. If this is fired, it cannot be obtained.

  In the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention, the content of the graphite particles is preferably 1 to 50% by mass, and more preferably 5 to 20% by mass, because it is superior due to the effect of improving conductivity.

The average particle size of the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention is preferably 1 to 25 μm, more preferably 2 to 15 μm from the viewpoint of improving input / output characteristics, although it depends on the characteristics of the battery used. It can be adjusted to such an extent that the exposure of the encapsulated graphite particles does not become remarkable.
The average particle diameter of the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention is measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution meter.

The specific surface area of the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention, because of suppressing reactivity with a liquid electrolyte, but preferably not more than 10 m 2 / ^g, more that a 0.5~8m 2 / ^g Preferably, it is 1.0-4 m < ² > / g, More preferably, it is 1.2-3.5 m < ² > / g.
In the present invention, the specific surface area is determined by the BET method by adsorption of nitrogen gas.

The amorphous carbon particles of the present invention are also referred to as “average lattice spacing d ₀₀₂ ” (hereinafter simply referred to as “average lattice spacing d ₀₀₂ ”) for the reason that the discharge capacity and cycle life are excellent, because of the (002) plane average lattice spacing d ₀₀₂ in X-ray diffraction. ) Is preferably 0.350 nm or more.
In the present invention, the average lattice spacing d ₀₀₂ is a CuKα ray as an X-ray, and a high-purity silicon is used as a standard substance to measure a diffraction peak on the (002) plane of amorphous carbon particles. It is calculated from the position of the peak. The calculation method follows the Japan Science and Technology Act (measurement method defined by the 17th Committee of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science). Specifically, “Carbon Fiber” [Sugirou Otani, pp. 733-742 (March 1986) ), Modern Editorial Company].

The true specific gravity of the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention is preferably 1.600 or more, more preferably 1.600 to 1.700, more preferably 1.600, because the electrode density is further improved as the value thereof increases. 1.690 is more preferable, and 1.620 to 1.485 is most preferable.
In addition, in this invention, true specific gravity is calculated | required by the liquid phase substitution method by a pycnometer using butanol according to JISR7222: 1997 (the physical characteristic measuring method of a graphite raw material).

  Next, a lithium ion secondary battery (hereinafter also referred to as “the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention”) used as a negative electrode material using the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention will be described.

[Lithium ion secondary battery]
Lithium ion secondary batteries usually have a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte as the main battery components, and the positive and negative electrodes are each composed of a lithium ion storable substance (as a layered compound) or a compound or cluster. The entry and exit of lithium ions in the process takes place between layers. This is a battery mechanism in which lithium ions are doped into the negative electrode during charging and are dedoped from the negative electrode during discharging.
The lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is not particularly limited except that the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention are used as the negative electrode material, and other battery components conform to the elements of a general lithium ion secondary battery. .

[Negative electrode]
The method for producing the negative electrode from the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be carried out according to a normal production method. At the time of producing the negative electrode, a negative electrode mixture obtained by adding a binder to the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention can be used. As the binder, those having chemical stability and electrochemical stability with respect to the electrolyte are preferably used. Usually, the binder is preferably used in an amount of about 1 to 20% by mass in the total amount of the negative electrode mixture. Polyvinylidene fluoride, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) can be used as the binder. Moreover, you may add carbon materials other than the amorphous carbon particle of this invention, and graphite material as an active material. Furthermore, for example, carbon black, carbon fiber, or the like may be added as a conductive agent.

  A paste-like negative electrode mixture paint is prepared by mixing the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention with a binder, and this negative electrode mixture paint is usually applied to one or both sides of a current collector to form a negative electrode. A mixture layer is formed. At this time, an ordinary solvent can be used for preparing the coating material. The shape of the current collector used for the negative electrode is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a foil shape; a mesh shape such as a mesh and an expanded metal; Examples of the current collector include copper, stainless steel, and nickel.

[Positive electrode]
As a material for the positive electrode (positive electrode active material), it is preferable to select a material that can be doped / dedoped with a sufficient amount of lithium ions. Examples of such a positive electrode active material include transition metal oxides, transition metal chalcogenides, vanadium oxides and lithium-containing compounds thereof, and general formula M _X Mo ₆ S _8-Y (where X is 0 ≦ X ≦ 4, Y is a numerical value in the range of 0 ≦ Y ≦ 1, and M represents a metal such as a transition metal), activated carbon, activated carbon fiber, and the like. You may use, and may use 2 or more types together. For example, a carbonate such as lithium carbonate can be added to the positive electrode.

The lithium-containing transition metal oxide is a composite oxide of lithium and a transition metal, and may be a solid solution of lithium and two or more transition metals. Specifically, the lithium-containing transition metal oxide is LiM (1) _1-P M (2) _P O ₂ (where P is a numerical value in the range of 0 ≦ P ≦ 1, M (1), M (2) is composed of at least one transition metal element) or LiM (1) _2-Q M (2) _Q O ₄ (wherein Q is a numerical value in the range of 0 ≦ Q ≦ 1 and M (1 ), M (2) is composed of at least one transition metal element). Here, examples of the transition metal element represented by M include Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Ti, V, Fe, Zn, Al, In, and Sn. Co, Fe, Mn, Ti, Cr, and V Al is preferred.
Such lithium-containing transition metal oxides are, for example, Li, transition metal oxides or salts as starting materials, these starting materials are mixed according to the composition, and fired in a temperature range of 600 to 1000 ° C. in an oxygen atmosphere. Can be obtained. Note that the starting materials are not limited to oxides or salts, and can be synthesized from hydroxides or the like.

  As a method for forming a positive electrode using such a positive electrode material, for example, a paste-like positive electrode mixture paint comprising a positive electrode material, a binder and a conductive agent is applied to one or both sides of a current collector. An agent layer is formed. As the binder, those exemplified for the negative electrode can be used. As the conductive agent, for example, a fine carbon material, a fibrous carbon material, graphite, or carbon black can be used. The shape of the current collector is not particularly limited, and the same shape as the negative electrode is used. As the material for the current collector, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel foil or the like can be usually used.

  In forming the above-described negative electrode and positive electrode, various conventionally known additives such as a conductive agent and a binder can be appropriately used.

〔Electrolytes〕
As the electrolyte, a normal nonaqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt such as LiPF ₆ or LiBF ₄ as the electrolyte salt is used.
The non-aqueous electrolyte may be a liquid non-aqueous electrolyte or a polymer electrolyte such as a solid electrolyte or a gel electrolyte.

  In the case of a liquid nonaqueous electrolyte solution, an aprotic organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate or the like can be used as the nonaqueous solvent.

In the case of a polymer electrolyte, a matrix polymer gelled with a plasticizer (non-aqueous electrolyte) is included. Examples of the matrix polymer include ether-based polymers such as polyethylene oxide and cross-linked products thereof, fluorine-based polymers such as polymethacrylate-based, polyacrylate-based, polyvinylidene fluoride, and vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer. Can be used alone or as a mixture, and among them, a fluorine-based polymer is preferable from the viewpoint of redox stability and the like.
As the electrolyte salt and non-aqueous solvent constituting the plasticizer (non-aqueous electrolyte solution) contained in the polymer electrolyte, those that can be used for a liquid electrolyte solution can be used.

In the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention, a separator such as a polypropylene, polyethylene microporous material or a layered structure thereof; a nonwoven fabric; It is also possible to use a gel electrolyte. In this case, for example, the negative electrode containing the amorphous carbon particles of the present invention, the gel electrolyte, and the positive electrode are stacked in this order and accommodated in the battery exterior material.
The structure of the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is arbitrary, and the shape and form thereof are not particularly limited. For example, the lithium ion secondary battery can be arbitrarily selected from a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, and a coin shape.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

<Example 1>
First, in an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer, coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60% by mass, quinoline insoluble (QI): 0.1% by mass) 1000 g was heated and made into a fluid state. As graphite particles, 30 g of powder of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) was added little by little with stirring, and stirred until uniform.
After stirring, the mixture is heated to 320 ° C in an autoclave under a nitrogen stream, and then blown into the pitch while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C for 5 hours to carry out a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. did. Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The oxygen content of the contents obtained is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C./hour while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and kept at 250 ° C. for 3 hours to effect infusibilization. After obtaining the melt-treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, 100 g of the obtained infusibilized product was placed in a graphite lidded container, heated at a rate of 100 ° C./hour under a nitrogen stream, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours. Carbon powder was obtained.

<Examples 2 and 3>
In Examples 2 and 3, carbon powder was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coal tar pitch and the graphite particles used were changed as shown in Table 1 below. The artificial graphite used in Example 3 was produced as follows.
(Manufacturing method of artificial graphite)
Mesocarbon microbeads were generated by heat treatment at 450 ° C. using coal tar pitch as a raw material. After adding 6 times equivalent amount of tar oil as a solvent to this coal tar pitch, it was filtered through a filter under a pressure of 2.0 (kg / cm ² ) to separate mesocarbon microbeads. Next, the obtained mesocarbon microbeads were dried at 120 ° C. under normal pressure. The dried product was heated in a cylindrical kiln under a nitrogen atmosphere at 350 ° C. for 1 hour, and then naturally cooled to room temperature to obtain a heat-treated product. Next, the heat treated product was crushed with an atomizer, and then the coarse powder (150 μm or more) was removed. The heat-treated mesocarbon microbeads were again charged into the cylindrical kiln and heated at 320 ° C. for 1 hour in a nitrogen atmosphere. The obtained mesocarbon microbeads were further fired at 1000 ° C. to obtain a fired body. The obtained fired body was pulverized. Then, it was graphitized at 3000 ° C. During graphitization, no fusion of particles occurred, and the average particle size after graphitization was 4 μm.

<Example 4>
In an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer, coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60% by mass, quinoline insoluble matter (QI): 0.1% by mass) 1000 g was added and heated to 320 ° C. under a nitrogen stream. The compressed air was blown into the pitch while flowing at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C. for 5 hours to give a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. Here, as graphite particles, a powder of 30 g of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) mixed with a small amount of coal tar pitch is added in small amounts while stirring and stirred until uniform. went.
Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The oxygen content of the contents obtained is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C./hour while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and kept at 250 ° C. for 3 hours to effect infusibilization. After obtaining the melt-treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, 100 g of the obtained infusibilized product was placed in a graphite lidded container, heated at a rate of 100 ° C./hour under a nitrogen stream, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours. Carbon powder was obtained.

<Example 5>
In the same manner as in Example 1, 1000 g of coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60 mass%, quinoline insoluble (QI): 0.1 mass%) was put into an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer and heated to flow. After making it into a state, 90 g of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) powder as graphite particles was added little by little with stirring, and stirred until uniform.
After stirring, the mixture is heated to 320 ° C in an autoclave under a nitrogen stream, and then blown into the pitch while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C for 5 hours to carry out a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. did. Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The amount of oxygen of the obtained contents is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a mechanofusion system manufactured by Hosokawa Micron and processed at a peripheral speed of 15 m / s for 15 minutes. The processed powder is put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C / min while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and held at 250 ° C for 3 hours to perform infusibilization. Then, after obtaining an infusible treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, 100 g of the obtained infusibilized product was placed in a graphite lidded container, heated at a rate of 100 ° C./hour under a nitrogen stream, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours. Carbon powder was obtained.

<Example 6>
As in Example 1, 1000 g of coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60% by mass, quinoline insoluble (QI): 0.1% by mass) was placed in an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer and heated to flow. After making it into a state, 90 g of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) powder as graphite particles was added little by little with stirring, and stirred until uniform.
After stirring, the mixture is heated to 320 ° C in an autoclave under a nitrogen stream, and then blown into the pitch while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C for 5 hours to carry out a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. did. Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The oxygen content of the contents obtained is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C./hour while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and kept at 250 ° C. for 3 hours to effect infusibilization. After obtaining the melt-treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained infusibilized product was put into a mechanofusion system manufactured by Hosokawa Micron, and treated at a peripheral speed of 18 m / s for 15 minutes. The treated powder was put into a graphite lidded container, heated at a rate of 100 ° C./hour under a nitrogen stream, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain a carbon powder.

<Example 7>
In an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer, coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60% by mass, quinoline insoluble matter (QI): 0.1% by mass) 1000 g was added and heated to 320 ° C. under a nitrogen stream. The compressed air was blown into the pitch while flowing at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C. for 5 hours to give a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. Here, as graphite particles, 100 g of powder of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) mixed with a small amount of coal tar pitch to make a paste is added little by little while stirring and stirred until uniform. Went.
Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The oxygen content of the contents obtained is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a mechanofusion system manufactured by Hosokawa Micron and processed at a peripheral speed of 15 m / s for 15 minutes. The processed powder is put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C./hour while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and held at 250 ° C. for 3 hours for infusibilization. Then, after obtaining an infusible treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, 100 g of the obtained infusibilized product was placed in a graphite lidded container, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 100 ° C./hour under a nitrogen stream, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain carbon. A powder was obtained.

<Example 8>
In an autoclave equipped with a vertical stirrer, coal tar pitch (residual carbon ratio: 60% by mass, quinoline insoluble matter (QI): 0.1% by mass) 1000 g was added and heated to 320 ° C. under a nitrogen stream. The compressed air was blown into the pitch while flowing at 2 L / min, and heated at 320 ° C. for 5 hours to give a crosslinking treatment by an air blowing reaction. Here, as graphite particles, 100 g of powder of natural graphite (average particle size: 4 μm) mixed with a small amount of coal tar pitch to make a paste is added little by little while stirring and stirred until uniform. Went.
Then, it cooled to room temperature and took out the contents. The oxygen content of the contents obtained is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained contents were pulverized using an atomizer to adjust the particle size to an average particle size of 12 μm. This was put into a rotary furnace, heated at a rate of temperature increase of 20 ° C./hour while flowing compressed air at 2 L / min, and kept at 250 ° C. for 3 hours to effect infusibilization. After obtaining the melt-treated product, it was left to cool. The oxygen content of the obtained infusibilized product is shown in Table 1 below.
Next, the obtained infusibilized product was put into a mechanofusion system manufactured by Hosokawa Micron, and treated at a peripheral speed of 18 m / s for 15 minutes. 100 g of the treated powder was placed in a graphite lidded container, heated in a nitrogen stream at a rate of temperature increase of 100 ° C./hour, and baked at 1150 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain a carbon powder.

<Comparative Examples 1 and 2>
In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, carbon powders were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 1 and 2, respectively, except that no graphite particles were added to the coal tar pitch.

<Comparative Example 3>
In Comparative Example 3, carbon powder was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, but when preparing a negative electrode mixture paste described later, 5 parts by mass of natural graphite (average particle diameter) with respect to 100 parts by mass of this carbon powder. : 5 μm) added (hereinafter simply referred to as “carbon powder”) was used as the negative electrode material.

<Evaluation>
(Evaluation of carbon powder after firing)
First, with respect to the carbon powders obtained by firing in each of the examples and comparative examples, the average particle diameter (unit: μm), specific surface area (unit: m ² / g), and true specific gravity (unit: none) are described above. It was measured by the method. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

  Next, a coin-type secondary battery for evaluation (see FIG. 1) was produced using the carbon powder obtained in each of the examples and comparative examples as a negative electrode material, and various evaluations were performed. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

(Preparation of negative electrode mixture paste)
First, a negative electrode mixture paste was prepared using the obtained carbon powder as a negative electrode material. Specifically, carbon powder (95 parts by mass) and an N-methylpyrrolidinone 12% solution of polyvinylidene difluoride (5 parts by mass) are put into a planetary mixer and stirred at 100 rpm for 15 minutes. Further, N-methylpyrrolidinone was added to adjust the solid content ratio to 60%, followed by stirring for 15 minutes to prepare a negative electrode mixture paste.

(Production of working electrode (negative electrode))
The prepared negative electrode mixture paste was applied on the copper foil so as to have a uniform thickness, and further placed in a blower dryer to evaporate the solvent at 100 ° C. to form a negative electrode mixture layer. Next, the negative electrode mixture layer is pressed by a roller press and punched into a circular shape having a diameter of 15.5 mm to produce a working electrode (negative electrode) having a negative electrode mixture layer in close contact with a current collector made of copper foil. did. In addition, before performing evaluation, it dried for 8 hours or more at 100 degreeC in the vacuum.

(Pressability of electrode (electrode density))
The produced working electrode was sandwiched between mirror plates having a certain area, and the electrode density (unit: g / cm ³ ) after applying a pressure of 250 MPa for 20 seconds using a hand press was determined. The electrode density was calculated by measuring the mass and thickness of the negative electrode mixture layer. The higher the electrode density, the better the pressability.

(Electrode conductivity (volume resistivity))
The negative electrode mixture paste prepared as described above was applied to a polyethylene terephthalate film (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), and pressed at a pressing pressure of 250 MPa. From the average value, the volume resistivity (unit: Ω · cm) was determined. The lower the volume resistivity, the better the conductivity.

(Preparation of electrolyte)
Electrolytic solution A: LiPF ₆ was dissolved at a concentration of 1 mol / dm ³ in a mixed solvent obtained by mixing ethylene carbonate (33% by volume) and methyl ethyl carbonate (67% by volume), and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution Was prepared.
Electrolytic solution B: LiPF ₆ was dissolved in propylene carbonate at a concentration of 1 mol / dm ³ to prepare a nonaqueous electrolytic solution.

(Production of evaluation battery)
Next, a coin-type secondary battery for evaluation (also simply referred to as “evaluation battery”) shown in FIG. 1 was produced using the produced working electrode (negative electrode). FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a coin-type secondary battery for evaluation.
First, a lithium metal foil was pressed against a nickel net and punched out into a circular shape with a diameter of 15.5 mm, thereby producing a disc-shaped counter electrode 4 made of lithium foil in close contact with the current collector 7a made of nickel net.
Next, the separator 5 is stacked between the working electrode (negative electrode) 2 in close contact with the current collector 7 b and the counter electrode 4 in close contact with the current collector 7 a, and then the working electrode 2 is placed in the exterior cup 1. The counter electrode 4 is accommodated in the outer can 3, the outer cup 1 and the outer can 3 are combined, and the outer peripheral portion of the outer cup 1 and the outer can 3 is caulked through the insulating gasket 6 and sealed, An evaluation battery was produced.
In the manufactured evaluation battery, the peripheral part of the exterior cup 1 and the exterior can 3 is caulked through the insulating gasket 6 to form a sealed structure. Inside the sealed structure, as shown in FIG. 1, in order from the inner surface of the outer can 3 to the inner surface of the outer cup 1, a current collector 7a, a counter electrode 4, a separator 5, a working electrode (negative electrode) 2, and The current collector 7b is laminated.

(Charge / discharge test)
About the produced evaluation battery, the following charging / discharging tests were done at 25 degreeC. In this test, the process of doping lithium ions into the carbon powder was referred to as “charging”, and the process of dedoping from the carbon powder was referred to as “discharge”.
First, constant current charging was performed until the circuit voltage reached 0 mV at a current value of 0.9 mA, switching to constant voltage charging was performed when the circuit voltage reached 0 mV, and charging was continued until the current value reached 20 μA. . A charging capacity (also referred to as “initial charging capacity”) (unit: mAh / g) was determined from the energization amount during that time. Then, it rested for 120 minutes. Next, constant current discharge is performed at a current value of 0.9 mA until the circuit voltage reaches 1.5 V, and a discharge capacity (also referred to as “initial discharge capacity”) (unit: mAh / g) is calculated based on the energization amount during this period. Asked. This was the first cycle.
Here, the initial discharge capacity, the initial charge / discharge efficiency, and the rapid discharge efficiency when the electrolytic solution A is used are shown in Table 2 below.

(First-time charge / discharge efficiency)
From the results of the charge / discharge test, the initial charge / discharge efficiency (unit:%) was determined from the following equation for the case where the electrolytic solution A was used and the case where the electrolytic solution B was used. The results are shown in Table 2 below.
Initial charge / discharge efficiency = (initial discharge capacity / initial charge capacity) × 100

(Electrolytic solution reactivity)
The reactivity with the electrolytic solution was evaluated by determining the difference between the charging / discharging loss when the electrolytic solution A was used and the charging / discharging loss when the electrolytic solution B was used.
When the difference in charge / discharge loss was within 15 mAh / g, it was evaluated as “◯” as being able to suppress the reaction of the electrolytic solution B containing propylene carbonate, and the difference in charge / discharge loss was more than that. When it was larger, it was evaluated as “x” because the reaction was not suppressed.
The charge / discharge loss (unit: mAh / g) was determined from the following equation.
Charge / discharge loss = initial charge capacity-initial discharge capacity

(Rapid discharge efficiency)
Further, high-speed discharge was performed in the third cycle. Constant current charging is performed until the circuit voltage reaches 0 mV at a current value of 0.9 mA, switching to constant voltage charging when the circuit voltage reaches 0 mV, and further, charging is continued until the current value reaches 20 μA. Paused for 120 minutes. Thereafter, the current value is set to 7.2 mA, which is 8 times, and constant current discharge is performed until the circuit voltage reaches 1500 mV to obtain a discharge capacity (also referred to as “rapid discharge capacity”) (unit: mAh / g). From this, the rapid discharge efficiency (unit:%) was determined. The rapid discharge efficiency when the electrolytic solution A is used is shown in Table 2 below.
Rapid discharge efficiency = (rapid discharge capacity / initial discharge capacity) x 100

  When Examples 1-8 are compared with Comparative Examples 1-2, Examples 1-8 have higher values of true specific gravity than Comparative Examples 1-2 in which no graphite particles were added. It was found that the density was improved and the pressability was excellent, and the volume resistivity was low and the conductivity was excellent.

Moreover, when Examples 1-8 were compared with the comparative example 3, although the electrode density etc. were comparatively favorable for the comparative example 3, the evaluation result of electrolyte solution reactivity was "x". This is considered that in Comparative Example 3, when the electrolyte solution B containing propylene carbonate was used, the post-added graphite particles reacted with the electrolyte solution and were hardly charged.
On the other hand, in Examples 1-8, the evaluation result of electrolyte solution reactivity was "(circle)", and when electrolyte solution B was used, it turned out that it can charge / discharge.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior cup 2 Working electrode 3 Exterior can 4 Counter electrode 5 Separator 6 Insulating gasket 7a Current collector 7b Current collector

Claims (9)

Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Firing the infusible product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles containing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising: Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the first or second crosslinked product to a mechanochemical treatment;
An infusibilization treatment step for obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the mechanochemical treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Firing the infusible product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles containing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising: Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the infusibilized product to a mechanochemical treatment;
Firing the mechanochemically treated product at a temperature of 1000 to 1300 ° C. to obtain amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:   The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle of any one of Claims 1-3 whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%. Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the infusible product; and
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%. Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the first or second crosslinked product to a mechanochemical treatment;
An infusibilization treatment step for obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the mechanochemical treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the infusible product; and
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%. Addition and mixing of graphite particles to the amorphous carbon precursor followed by crosslinking treatment to obtain a first crosslinked product, or after carrying out crosslinking treatment of the amorphous carbon precursor, Adding and mixing to obtain a second crosslinked product;
An infusibilization treatment step of obtaining an infusible treatment product by subjecting the first or second cross-linking treatment product to an infusibilization treatment;
A mechanochemical treatment step of obtaining a mechanochemically treated product by subjecting the infusibilized product to a mechanochemical treatment;
Obtaining amorphous carbon particles enclosing the graphite particles in the particles by firing the mechanochemically treated product;
A method for producing amorphous carbon particles comprising:
The manufacturing method of the amorphous carbon particle whose content of the said graphite particle in the said amorphous carbon particle is 1-50 mass%.   The method for producing amorphous carbon particles according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the true specific gravity of the amorphous carbon particles is 1.600 to 1.700.   The method for producing amorphous carbon particles according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous carbon particles are a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery.