KR20150028802A - Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, method for producing same, negative electrode for lithium ion secondary batteries using same, and lithium ion secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

A spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon and metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, said composite having voids therein, said scratched graphite particles being non-parallel to each other in said composite, And the metal particles are present dispersed in the composite particles. The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the metal particles are present in a concentric shape on the surface of the composite particles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, a method for manufacturing the same, a negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery using the negative electrode material and a lithium ion secondary battery using the same. BACKGROUND ART , AND LITHIUM ION SECONDARY BATTERY}

The present invention relates to a composite particle for a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery comprising graphite flake graphite, baked carbon and metal particles which can be alloyed with lithium, a method for producing the composite particle, Ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery using the negative electrode.

Lithium ion secondary batteries have excellent characteristics, such as high voltage and high energy density, compared to other secondary batteries, and are widely used as power sources for electronic devices. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices have been progressed, and demand for higher energy density of a lithium ion secondary battery has been increasing steadily.

At present, lithium-ion secondary batteries generally use LiCoO _{2 as the} positive electrode and graphite as the negative electrode. However, the graphite anode has excellent reversibility of charging / discharging, but its discharge capacitance has already reached a theoretical value of 372 mAh / g corresponding to the intercalation compound LiC ₆ , In order to achieve density reduction, it is necessary to develop a negative electrode material having a larger discharge capacity than graphite.

Although metal lithium has the highest discharge capacity as a negative electrode material, there is a problem that the charge / discharge cycle is shortened because lithium is precipitated in the form of a dendrite upon charging and the negative electrode is deteriorated. Further, lithium precipitated in a dendrite form may penetrate through the separator to reach the positive electrode and short-circuit may occur.

As such, metallic materials that form alloys with lithium have been studied as negative electrode materials to replace metal lithium. These alloy negative electrodes have a discharge capacity far beyond that of graphite, though they do not extend to metallic lithium. However, the volumetric expansion accompanied by alloying causes differentiation (powdering) and peeling of the active material, and a cycle characteristic at a practical level has not yet been obtained.

In order to improve the drawbacks of the alloy anode as described above, a composite of a metal material with either or both of a graphite material and a carbon material has been studied. (2) A method in which a carbonaceous layer is coated on a metal material by using a CVD method (Patent Document 2) (3) A method of coating a carbonaceous material with a carbonaceous material, (2) in combination with mechanical alloying (Patent Document 3). However, in any of the above-mentioned (1) to (3), simply expanding the graphite or carbonaceous material around the metal material can not sufficiently alleviate the expansion of the metal material at the time of filling, It is not yet possible to solve such a problem as peeling, and it is a phenomenon that a practical level cycle characteristic is not obtained.

In Patent Document 4, metal particles capable of being alloyed with lithium, which is an average particle diameter of not more than 1/2 of the average particle size of the graphite particles, are formed on the surfaces of graphitized particles having an average particle diameter of 2 to 5 탆 and an aspect ratio of 3 or less, (For example, spray drying), the carbonaceous precursor is impregnated into the granules, and the mixture is heat-treated at a temperature of 600 ° C. or higher , A process for producing metal-graphitic particles in which metal-graphitic particles are produced.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-231225 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-151066 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-216751 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-294476

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation. It is possible to prevent deterioration of cycle characteristics even when Si, for example, a metal material is repeatedly expanded and contracted by making the negative electrode material have a specific structure. By using this negative electrode material as a lithium ion secondary battery negative electrode material, the expansion of the metallic material at the time of charging can be sufficiently alleviated, and a high discharge capacity exceeding the theoretical capacity of graphite and excellent initial charge / And to provide a material showing the same. It is also an object to provide a negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery using the obtained negative electrode material and a lithium ion secondary battery using the negative electrode for the secondary battery.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a spherical or substantially spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles and metal particles that can be alloyed with lithium, wherein the composite has at least voids therein, And the metal particles are present in a concentric pattern on the surface of the composite, and the metal particles are present dispersedly in the composite particles.

That is, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon, and metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, wherein the composite has voids therein, and the scaly graphite particles exist in a non-parallel manner inside the composite Wherein the metal particles are present in a concentric circular orientation on the surface of the composite and the metal particles are present dispersed in the composite particle and / or on the surface thereof.

(2) The lithium secondary battery as described in (1), wherein the composite is 100 mass%, the scratched graphite particles are 98 to 60 mass%, the sintered carbon is 1 to 20 mass%, and the metal particles are 1 to 20 mass% Negative Electrode Material for Ion Secondary Battery.

(3) The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to (1), further comprising a graphite fiber in the composite.

(4) the scaly graphite particles: 97.5 to 55 mass%, the composite is 100 mass%

1 to 20% by mass of the sintered carbon, 1 to 20% by mass of the metal particles, and

The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to (3), wherein the graphite fiber is 0.5 to 5 mass%.

(5) The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the average flatness (Ly / t) of the scratched graphite particles is 0.5 to 40.

(6) A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery comprising the negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to any one of (1) to (5).

(7) A lithium ion secondary battery having a negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery according to (6) above.

(8) A process for producing a spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon and metal particles which can be alloyed with lithium, characterized in that the scratched graphite particles and the metal particles are combined with a carbonaceous material and / Followed by spray drying and then subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of 700 ° C or higher and 1500 ° C or lower to prepare the carbonaceous material and the precursor of the carbonaceous material as sintered carbon, Wherein the negative electrode active material is used as a final product without passing through the negative electrode active material layer.

(9) A method for producing a spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon, metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, and graphite fibers, wherein the graphite particles, the metal particles and the graphite fibers are mixed with a carbonaceous material and / Or a solution of a binder, which is a precursor of a carbonaceous material, spray-dried, and then heat-treated at a temperature of 700 ° C or more and 1500 ° C or less to form a precursor of the carbonaceous material and the carbonaceous material, , And the resulting product is then used as a final product without being subjected to a pulverizing step.

(10) The anode for a lithium ion secondary battery as described in (8) or (9) above, wherein the spray drying process further comprises the step of adhering a precursor of a carbonaceous material and / Method of manufacturing ash.

The composite material as the negative electrode material of the present invention can sufficiently alleviate the expansion of the metal material at the time of charging in the case of using the negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery as a negative electrode material and has a high discharge capacity exceeding the theoretical capacity of graphite, Discharge efficiency.

Fig. 1 is an electron micrograph (3000 times) showing the appearance of the composite obtained in Example 1. Fig.
2 is a polarized microscope photograph (3000 times) of the cross section of the composite obtained in Example 1. Fig.
3 is an EDX mapping image (3000 times) showing an Si element measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy existing on the outer surface of the composite obtained in Example 1. Fig.
4 is a cross-sectional view of an evaluation cell for evaluating the battery characteristics of the negative electrode of the present invention.

[Negative Electrode Material: Spherical Composite of Scaly Graphite Particles, Sintered Carbon, and Metal Particles Alloyable with Lithium]

The present invention is a spherical or substantially spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon and metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, said composite having at least voids therein, and said scratched graphite particles being non- Wherein the metal particles exist in the form of concentric circles at the surface of the composite, and the metal particles are dispersed in and / or on the surface of the composite particles. In the present specification, the term " dispersed in the inside and / or the surface of the composite particle " is sometimes referred to as " dispersed in the composite particle ".

Since the composite has a structure having voids therein, it is possible to absorb the expansion of the volume accompanied by alloying, thereby preventing the active material from being differentiated or peeled off. Further, since the flaky graphite particles are oriented concentrically on the surface of the composite, exposure to the surface results in a base surface having relatively low reactivity, and the charge / discharge efficiency and cycle characteristics resulting from exposure of the edge surface are reduced There is nothing to cause.

As to the shape of the composite, more specifically, the average aspect ratio of the composite is preferably 3 or less, and particularly preferably 2 or less. If the average aspect ratio is larger than 3, the cycle characteristics may deteriorate. The aspect ratio means a ratio of the long axis length of the composite 1 particle to the short axis length, and the arithmetic mean value of the aspect ratio of each particle measured by observation of arbitrary 100 particles by a scanning electron microscope , And the average aspect ratio.

The average particle diameter of the composite is preferably in the range of 1 to 50 mu m, more preferably in the range of 5 to 30 mu m. In the present invention, the average particle diameter of the composite is a particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) at which the cumulative frequency of the laser diffraction particle size distribution becomes 50% by volume.

The negative electrode material of the present invention may be produced by any method as long as the method can achieve the above characteristics. Further, it may be a carbon material such as heterogeneous graphite material, carbon or graphite fiber, amorphous hard carbon, etc., an organic material, an inorganic material, a mixture with a metallic material, or a composite material.

Regarding the voids inside the composite, the shape and the existence state thereof are not limited, but they may be dispersed, exist in the vicinity of the center, or reach the surface of the composite.

In particular, it is more preferable that the composite contains graphite fibers therein. Graphitic fibers have the role of electrically connecting scratched graphite particles and metal particles to each other without crushing voids inside the composite, thereby reducing the electrical resistance of the composite and improving cycle characteristics.

The volume of pores having a size of 0.01 to 100 탆 measured by a mercury porosimetry method is preferably 0.05 to 0.4 cm 3 / g. If the volume of the pores is less than 0.05 cm 3 / g, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small. If the pore volume is more than 0.4 cm 3 / g, the conductivity may be lowered.

The voids within this range can appropriately hold the electrolyte solution therein and improve the rapid charge / discharge characteristics of the lithium secondary battery using the negative electrode material of the present invention.

The presence state of flaky graphite particles on the surface of the composite can be confirmed by observation with a scanning electron microscope (hereinafter also referred to as SEM). The presence of flaky graphite particles in the interior of the composite can be confirmed by polishing the composite particles embedded in the resin and then observing the cross section with a SEM or a polarization microscope. The existence state of the metal particles on the surface and inside of the composite can be confirmed by EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analysis.

The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, as shown in the photograph of a scanning electron microscope (hereinafter referred to as SEM) It is a spherical complex composed of particles. The presence of flaky graphite particles in the inside of the composite can be confirmed by polishing the composite particles embedded in the resin and observing the cross section with a scanning microscope (SEM) or a polarizing microscope. As shown in an inside polarizing microscope photograph, which is an example thereof in Fig. 2, the graphite particles have voids therein, and flaky graphite particles are present in a non-parallel manner inside the composite, and scaly graphite particles are concentrically formed on the surface of the composite Orientation.

Here, the surface of the composite refers to a range of not more than twice the thickness of the flake graphite (about 1 탆 or less) from the outermost surface of the composite. Internal refers to a range other than the surface.

Fig. 2 is a polarized microscope photograph of the cross section of the composite obtained in Example 1. Fig. The part appearing in black near the center of the spherical particles is the inner void. In Fig. 2, the non-black portion shows a state in which flaky graphite particles are present in a non-parallel state inside the composite. Non-parallel means that more than 90% of the total number of scaly graphite particles present is critical.

3 shows an EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) mapping image showing an Si element measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy existing on the outer surface of the composite obtained in Example 1 for the same field of view as in Fig. 1 . In Fig. 3, the white dot indicates the presence of the Si element. By overlapping Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, it is confirmed that silicon particles are dispersed on the surface of the composite.

The metal particles that can be alloyed with lithium in the composite exist in a dispersed state in the composite particles. This is because the presence frequency of Si obtained by measuring the surface of the composite particles by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy when the metal particles capable of alloying with lithium are, for example, Si, It means almost the same when the presence frequency of Si is measured. In the composite of the present invention, the metal particles that can be alloyed with lithium are dispersed in the interior and on the surface of the composite particles.

[Scattering graphite particles]

The flaky graphite particles used in the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they can absorb and release lithium ions. Artificial graphite in which a part or the whole thereof is formed of graphite, for example, natural graphite, tar and pitch are finally subjected to heat treatment at 1500 ° C or higher. Concretely, the mesophase calcined body and the coke-like calcined body obtained by heat-treating a petroleum-based or coal-based tar pitch oil, which is called an easy graphitizable carbon material, are calcined at 1500 ° C or higher, preferably 2800 to 3300 ° C .

The average particle diameter of the flake graphite particles of the present invention is preferably in the range of 0.1 탆 to 20 탆, and more preferably in the range of 0.3 탆 to 10 탆. The average particle diameter of the flaky graphite particles is D ₅₀ as in the case of the above composite. When the shape is a scaly shape, the average particle diameter is a value converted to an average particle diameter of spherical particles having the same volume as that particle.

In addition, the average flatness (Ly / t) of the scratched graphite particles is preferably 0.5 or more, and more preferably 2 to 40. [ Here, the average flatness means the ratio (Ly / t) of the short axis length Ly to the thickness t of one particle of the flake graphite particles, and the flake graphite particles are observed with a scanning electron microscope As a simple average value of the flatness of each particle measured.

Further, various chemical treatments in a liquid phase, a vapor phase and a solid phase, a heat treatment, an oxidation treatment, and a physical treatment may be performed. If the average flatness of the scratched graphite particles is less than 0.5, there may be a case where the scratched graphite is not concentrically oriented in the surface of the composite, and if the average flatness is more than 40, a spherical composite may not be formed .

The proportion of flaky graphite particles is preferably 98 to 60% by mass relative to the total amount of the composite particles. And more preferably 95 to 60 mass%. When the graphite particles are 98% or more, the effect of improving the capacity may be small. When the graphite particles are less than 60%, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small.

Exposure to the surface of the composite material of the negative electrode material of the present invention is a basal plane (AB plane) in which the reactivity of the graphite particles is comparatively low and causes a decrease in the charge / discharge efficiency and the cycle characteristics resulting from the exposure of the edge surface There is no.

[Fired carbon]

The fired carbon used in the present invention is a fired product obtained by spray-drying a dispersion liquid obtained by mixing the flaky graphite particles with the following binder and then calcining the mixture to obtain a carbon component that exists separately from graphite particles, , The sintered carbon obtained by baking the solution, or the spray dried product is sintered carbon after impregnating the following binder. Or any of the following precursors, and tar pitch and / or resin streams are exemplified. Specific examples of the tar pitch include coal tar, diesel oil, tar heavy oil, tar heavy oil, naphthalene oil, anthracene oil, coal tar pitch, pitch oil, mesophase pitch, oxygen bridge oil pitch, . Examples of the resins include thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, and vinyl chloride resins such as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, phenol resins, furan resins, furfuryl alcohol resins, cellulose resins, Rhenitrile, polyamideimide resin, polyamide resin, and other thermosetting resins. The calcined carbon can be obtained by heat-treating these carbon precursor materials at a temperature to be described later.

The fired carbon is not graphitized, and is preferably amorphous.

The content of the calcined carbon in the product composite is preferably 1 to 20% by mass. More preferably 1 to 15% by mass. When the amount of the calcined carbon is less than 1 mass%, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small. When the amount of the calcined carbon is more than 20 mass%, the capacity and / or the initial efficiency may be lowered.

[Metal particles capable of alloying with lithium]

Examples of metal particles that can be alloyed with lithium include metal particles such as Al, Pb, Zn, Sn, Bi, In, Mg, Ga, Cd, Ag, Si, B, Au, Pt, Pd, Sb, And preferably Si particles and Sn particles. The metal particles may be an alloy of two or more of the metals, and may further contain other elements in addition to the above-described metals in the alloy. Part of the metal particles may form oxides, nitrides and carbides, and it is particularly preferable to include at least a part of oxides.

The proportion of the metal particles used in the present invention is preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 2% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less based on the total amount of the composite particles. When the metal particles are less than 1% by mass, the effect of improving the capacity may be small. When the metal particles are more than 20% by mass, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small.

The average particle diameter of the metal particles is preferably 10 占 퐉 or less, more preferably 5 占 퐉 or less, and particularly preferably 1 占 퐉 or less. When the average particle diameter of the metal particles exceeds 10 탆, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small.

The shape of the metal particles is not particularly limited. It may be in the form of a granule, a sphere, a plate, a scaly, a needle, or a thread.

[Graphite fiber]

The graphite fiber may be any fiber-like graphite having conductivity, and is not particularly limited. The preferable shape is an average fiber diameter of 10 to 1000 nm and an average fiber length of 1 to 20 탆, and examples thereof include carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, vapor-grown carbon fibers and the like.

The proportion of the graphite fibers is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less based on the total amount of the composite particles. When the amount of the graphite fiber is less than 0.5% by mass, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics may be small. When the graphite fiber is more than 5% by mass, the initial charge-discharge efficiency may be lowered.

[Method for producing composite]

The present invention also provides a method for producing a spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon, and metal particles which can be alloyed with lithium (hereinafter sometimes referred to as metal particles). The sintered carbon may be spray-dried by mixing the scratched graphite particles and the metal particles with the binder or its solution, and thereafter firing (hereinafter referred to as "spray-drying → firing" process). Alternatively, flaky graphite particles and metal particles may be dispersed in a binder or a solution thereof followed by spray drying, and then the carbon material precursor or its solution as a binder may be mixed and baked to produce baked carbon (" spray drying → carbon coating → firing "process). Both may be combined. When the graphite fiber is added, it is preferable to disperse the graphite particles together with the metal particles and the binder or the solution thereof to provide spray drying. Further, the metal particles and the graphite fibers may be adhered to the scratched graphite particles in advance. It is preferable that the composite of the present invention is obtained by a production method which does not carry out the pulverization step after the calcination treatment but the final product. As the binder, it is a precursor of a carbonaceous material and / or a carbonaceous material. Are the same as those exemplified as the precursors of the calcined carbon. Any binder may be used as long as it dissolves in a suitable solvent. Examples of the tar pitch and / or the resin exemplified as the precursor of the calcined carbon are mentioned. The amount of the binder to be added as a raw material is preferably 1 to 30 mass% with respect to 100 mass% of flake graphite particles. More preferably, it is 1 to 15% by mass. An aqueous solution, an alcohol solution, or an organic solvent solution may be used as the solution of the binder. A solution in which water is added to a surfactant, and polyvinyl alcohol as a viscosity-adjusting agent is added.

The spray drying treatment is carried out by dispersing scaly graphite particles and metal particles in a precursor solution of a carbonaceous material as a binder or by spraying a dispersion liquid in which flaky graphite carbon particles are dispersed in a solution together with an air stream, Any method may be used as long as the solvent is dried. By the surface tension of the dispersion liquid, the dried particles form a sphericity. The spherical particles obtained by the spray drying treatment before firing are referred to as composite precursors here. At this time, it is possible to form a structure in which scaly graphite particles are present in the inside, rather than a complete hollow structure, by preventing the bubbles from intervening in the droplets of the spray by adjusting the solid content ratio of the dispersion liquid or the airflow.

For example, the solid content ratio of the dispersion liquid is preferably 5 to 25 mass%, the inlet temperature of the spray dryer is 150 to 250 ° C, and the nozzle air amount is 20 to 100 liter / min.

When the precursor of the carbon material which is the binder is not added to the spray-drying solution, the composite precursor obtained by spray drying is immersed in the precursor solution of the carbon material to cover the carbon. The composite precursor and the precursor of the carbon material may be mixed and coated with carbon.

In the spray drying process, it is possible to adjust the particle size and the flow of the raw liquid to arbitrary granularity by adjusting the solid content ratio and airflow, and the process of grinding to adjust the particle size is not necessary. In addition, since graphite particles are used as a main raw material, graphitization treatment is unnecessary, and a sufficient capacity can be exhibited as a negative electrode material of a lithium ion secondary battery only by baking treatment.

A spray-dried product (composite precursor) is calcined in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of 700 ° C or higher and 1500 ° C or lower to obtain a composite. And preferably 900 to 1400 ° C. The inert atmosphere may be N ₂ , Ar, He, a vacuum atmosphere, or a mixture thereof. If the firing temperature is lower than 700 캜 or higher than 1500 캜, the initial efficiency may be lowered.

A carbon material such as amorphous hard carbon, an organic material, an inorganic material, or a metal material may be adhered, buried, or mixed before the firing process. The spray drying treatment product may be immersed in the precursor solution of the carbonaceous material and / or the carbonaceous material before the firing treatment to adhere the precursor of the carbonaceous material and / or the carbonaceous material to the spray drying product. This can reduce the reactivity (charge / discharge loss) by strengthening and coating the assembled structure. The preferable amount of adhesion (amount before firing) is preferably 1 to 30 mass% with respect to 100 mass% of flake graphite particles. More preferably, it is 1 to 15% by mass.

[Negative pole]

The negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is fabricated in accordance with a general negative electrode forming method, but is not particularly limited as long as it is a method capable of obtaining a chemically and electrochemically stable negative electrode. In the production of the negative electrode, it is preferable to add a binder to the negative electrode material of the present invention and use a negative electrode mixture prepared in advance. As the binder, it is preferable that it exhibits chemical and electrochemical stability with respect to the electrolyte. Examples of the binder include fluorine resin powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, resin powder such as polyethylene and polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose Etc. are used. These may be used in combination. The binder is usually used in a proportion of about 1 to 20 mass% of the total amount of the negative electrode mixture.

More specifically, first, the negative electrode material of the present invention is adjusted to a desired particle size by classification or the like, and the mixture obtained by mixing with the binder is dispersed in a solvent to form a paste, thereby preparing a negative electrode mixture. That is, the slurry obtained by mixing the negative electrode material of the present invention and a binder with a solvent such as water, isopyropyol alcohol, N-methylpyrrolidone, or dimethylformamide is mixed with a known slurry, a mixer, a kneader, To prepare a paste. When the paste is applied to one side or both sides of the current collector and dried, a negative electrode having uniformly and firmly adhered the negative electrode mixture layer is obtained. The film thickness of the negative electrode mixture layer is 10 to 200 mu m, preferably 20 to 100 mu m.

The negative electrode of the present invention can also be produced by dry mixing of the negative electrode material of the present invention and resin powders such as polyethylene and polyvinyl alcohol and hot-pressing them in a mold.

When the negative electrode mixture layer is formed and then press-bonding such as press-pressing is performed, the bonding strength between the negative electrode mixture layer and the collector can be further increased.

The shape of the current collector used in the production of the negative electrode is not particularly limited, but may be a net shape such as a foil, a mesh, or an expanded metal. As the material for the current collector, copper, stainless steel, nickel and the like are preferable. The thickness of the current collector is preferably about 5 to 20 mu m in the case of a thin foil.

The negative electrode of the present invention may be formed by mixing, encapsulating, covering, or otherwise mixing a carbonaceous material such as a heterogeneous graphite material, amorphous hard carbon, or the like, an organic material, a metal, Or may be laminated.

[Positive]

The positive electrode is formed, for example, by applying a positive electrode mixture composed of a positive electrode material, a binder and a conductive agent to the surface of the current collector. It is preferable that the material (positive electrode active material) of the positive electrode be selected so that a sufficient amount of lithium can be occluded / released. A lithium-containing compound such as a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, a transition metal chalcogenide, a vanadium oxide and a lithium compound thereof, a compound represented by the formula M _x Mo ₆ OS _{8 -Y wherein} M is at least one transition metal element, X < / = 4 and Y is a numerical value in the range of 0 < = Y < = 1), activated carbon, activated carbon fiber and the like. The vanadium oxide is represented by V ₂ O ₅ , V ₆ O ₁₃ , V ₂ O ₄ , and V ₃ O ₈ .

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. The composite oxides may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Specifically, the lithium-containing transition metal oxide is LiM ¹ _{1 -x} M ² _X O _{2 wherein} M ¹ and M ² are at least one kind of transition metal element and X is a numerical value in the range of 0 ≦ X ≦ 1 Lim), or _{^{LiM 1 1 - Y M 2 Y}} O 4 ( wherein M ^1, M ² is a transition metal element of at least one kind, Y is represented by numerical Im) in the range of 0≤Y≤1.

The transition metal element represented by M ¹ and M ² is preferably Co, Fe, Mn, Ti, Cr, V, Fe, Zn, , Al and the like. Preferred embodiments are LiCoO ₂ , LiNiO ₂ , LiMnO ₂ , LiNi _{0 .9} Co _{0 .1} O ₂ , LiNi _{0 .5} Co _{0 .5} O _2, and the like.

The lithium-containing transition metal oxide may be prepared by using, for example, lithium, transition metal oxides, hydroxides, salts and the like as starting materials, mixing these starting materials in accordance with the composition of the desired metal oxide, For example.

As the positive electrode active material, the above compounds may be used singly or in combination of two or more kinds. For example, a carbon salt such as lithium carbonate may be added to the positive electrode. When forming the positive electrode, conventionally known various additives such as a conductive agent and a binder may be suitably used.

The positive electrode is produced by applying the positive electrode material, the binder and the positive electrode mixture composed of a conductive agent for imparting conductivity to the positive electrode to both surfaces of the current collector to form a positive electrode mixture layer. As the binder, the same materials as those used for producing the negative electrode can be used. As the conductive agent, known ones such as graphite and carbon black are used.

The shape of the current collector is not particularly limited, but may be a foil or mesh such as mesh or expanded metal. The material of the current collector is aluminum, stainless steel, nickel and the like. The thickness is preferably 10 to 40 mu m.

The positive electrode material mixture may be formed by dispersing and mixing the positive electrode material mixture into a paste in the same manner as in the case of the positive electrode material negative electrode, applying the positive electrode material mixture paste to the current collector, and drying the resultant to form a positive electrode material mixture layer, Or the like may be performed. As a result, the positive electrode material mixture layer is uniformly and firmly adhered to the current collector.

[Non-aqueous electrolyte]

As the non-aqueous electrolyte used in the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention, the electrolyte salt used in the conventional non-aqueous _{electrolyte, LiPF 6, LiBF 4, LiAsF} 6, LiClO 4, LiB (C 6 H 5), LiCl, LiBr, _{LiCF 3 SO 3, LiCH 3 SO} 3, LiN (CF 3 SO 2) 2, LiC (CF 3 SO 2) 3, LiN (CF 3 CH 2 OSO 2) 2, LiN (CF 3 CF 2 OSO 2) 2, A lithium salt such as LiN (HCF ₂ CF ₂ CH ₂ OSO ₂ ) ₂ , LiN ((CF ₃ ) ₂ CHOSO ₂ ) ₂ , LiB [{C ₆ H ₃ (CF ₃ ) ₂ ]] ₄ , LiAlCl ₄ , LiSiF ₆ Can be used. In view of oxidation stability, LiPF ₆ and LiBF ₄ are particularly preferable.

The electrolyte salt concentration in the electrolytic solution is preferably 0.1 to 5 mol / L, more preferably 0.5 to 3.0 mol / L.

The nonaqueous electrolyte may be a liquid nonaqueous electrolyte, or may be a solid electrolyte or a gel electrolyte. In the former case, the nonaqueous electrolyte battery is constituted as a so-called lithium ion secondary battery. In the latter case, the nonaqueous electrolyte battery is constituted as a polymer electrolyte battery such as a polymer solid electrolyte, a polymer gel electrolyte battery and the like.

Examples of the solvent for preparing the nonaqueous electrolyte solution include carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate, 1,1- or 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran , Ethers such as 2-methyltetrahydrofuran,? -Butyrolactone, 1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, anisole and diethyl ether, sulfolane and methylsulfolane Nitriles such as acetonitrile, chloronitrile and propionitrile, nitriles such as trimethyl borate, tetramethyl silicate, nitromethane, dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, trimethyl orthoformate, , An aprotic organic solvent such as benzoyl bromide, tetrahydrothiophene, dimethylsulfoxide, 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone, ethylene glycol, dimethylsulfite and the like can be used.

When the nonaqueous electrolyte is a polymer electrolyte such as a polymer solid electrolyte or a polymer gel electrolyte, it is preferable to use a polymer gelled by a plasticizer (non-aqueous electrolyte) as a matrix. Examples of the polymer constituting the matrix include ether-based polymer compounds such as polyethylene oxide and its crosslinked product, polymethacrylate-based polymer compounds, polyacrylate-based polymer compounds, polyvinylidene fluoride, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoro Propylene copolymer and the like are preferably used.

The polymer solid electrolyte or the polymer gel electrolyte is mixed with a plasticizer. As the plasticizer, the above electrolyte salt or nonaqueous solvent can be used. In the case of the polymer gel electrolyte, the electrolytic salt concentration in the non-aqueous electrolyte as the plasticizer is preferably 0.1 to 5 mol / L, more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 mol / L.

The method of producing the polymer solid electrolyte is not particularly limited. For example, a method of mixing a polymer compound constituting the matrix, a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent (plasticizer) and melting the polymer compound by heating, A method of dissolving a salt and a nonaqueous solvent (plasticizer), followed by evaporation of the organic solvent for mixing, a method of mixing a polymerizable monomer, a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent (plasticizer), irradiating the mixture with ultraviolet rays, And a method of polymerizing a monomer to obtain a polymer.

Here, the ratio of the non-aqueous solvent (plasticizer) in the solid electrolyte is preferably 10 to 90 mass%, more preferably 30 to 80 mass%. When the content is less than 10% by mass, the electrical conductivity is low. When the content is more than 90% by mass, mechanical strength is weakened, and film formation becomes difficult.

[Separator]

In the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention, a separator may be used.

The material of the separator is not particularly limited, and for example, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a synthetic resin microporous membrane, or the like can be used. As the material of the separator, a synthetic resin microporous membrane is suitable, but in particular, a polyolefin microporous membrane is preferable in terms of thickness, film strength, and membrane resistance. Specifically, a polyethylene or polypropylene microporous membrane or a microporous membrane composed of these membranes is suitable.

[Lithium ion secondary battery]

The lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is constituted by stacking the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the nonaqueous electrolyte having the above-described constitution in the order of, for example, an anode, a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode and accommodating them in a casing of the battery. Further, a nonaqueous electrolyte may be disposed outside the negative electrode and the positive electrode.

The structure of the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention is not particularly limited, and the shape and the shape of the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention are not particularly limited. The shape, shape and the like of the lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention are cylindrical, square, And the like. In order to obtain a sealed nonaqueous electrolyte battery with higher stability, it is preferable to use a device having a means for detecting an increase in the internal pressure of the battery when the battery is overcharged to interrupt the current.

When the lithium ion secondary battery is a polymer solid electrolyte battery or a polymer gel electrolyte battery, the lithium ion secondary battery may be sealed in a laminated film.

Example

Next, the present invention will be described concretely with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples. In the following examples and comparative examples, as shown in Fig. 4, a current collector (negative electrode) 7b to which a negative electrode material mixture 2 having the negative electrode material of the present invention is attached, And a counter electrode (positive electrode) 4 made of a lithium foil were manufactured and evaluated. The actual battery can be manufactured in accordance with a known method based on the concept of the present invention.

(Example 1)

[Production of negative electrode material]

Scatter graphite particles having an average particle diameter of 5 占 퐉 and an average flatness of 20 and silicone particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 占 퐉 were dispersed in a polyacrylic acid aqueous solution and spray-dried by a spray dryer to obtain spherical composite precursors. Subsequently, a tar oil heavy oil solution of a coal tar pitch was added to the composite precursor using a planetary mixer, kneaded, and then calcined at 1000 캜 in an inert atmosphere of nitrogen to obtain a desired composite negative electrode material . The blending amounts of the respective materials were adjusted so that the respective existing ratios in the composite as the final product were as shown in Table 1. The spray drying was carried out under the conditions shown in Table 2. The average particle diameter of the composite measured by a laser type particle size distribution meter was 10 占 퐉. The average aspect ratio of the composite was within 2 in all subsequent examples. From the SEM image shown in Fig. 1, it was found that flaky graphite particles were oriented in a concentric circular pattern on the surface. From the polarization microscope image of the cross-section of the composite shown in Fig. 2, it was found that voids were present in the inside, and flaky graphite particles existed in a non-parallel relationship with each other. From the EDX mapping image shown in Fig. 3, it was also found that silicon particles were dispersed and existed.

[Production of negative electrode mixture paste]

Next, a negative electrode was prepared using a negative electrode material. First, 96 parts by mass of the negative electrode material composed of the composite, 2 parts by mass of carboxymethylcellulose as a binder, and 2 parts by mass of styrene-butadiene rubber were put into water and stirred to adjust the negative electrode mixture paste.

[Fabrication of working electrode (negative electrode)] [

The negative electrode material mixture paste was applied on a copper foil having a thickness of 15 탆 in a uniform thickness, and water of the dispersion medium was evaporated at 90 캜 in a vacuum and dried. Subsequently, the negative electrode material mixture layer applied on the copper foil was pressed by a hand press. Further, the copper foil and the negative electrode material mixture layer were punched into a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 15.5 mm to prepare a working electrode (negative electrode) having a negative electrode material mixture layer adhered to the copper foil. The density of the negative electrode mixture layer was 1.4 g / cm 3.

[Fabrication of counter electrode (positive electrode)] [

Next, the negative electrode was used to fabricate a button-type secondary battery for single-pole evaluation. A current collector made of a nickel mesh and an electrode plate made of a lithium metal foil adhered to the current collector were used for the positive electrode.

[Electrolyte, separator]

The electrolytic solution was prepared by dissolving LiPF ₆ at a concentration of 1 mol / L in a mixed solvent of 33% by volume of ethylene carbonate and 67% by volume of methyl ethyl carbonate, thereby preparing a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. Using the obtained non-aqueous electrolyte as a separator, the resultant was impregnated with a polypropylene porous body having a thickness of 20 占 퐉 to prepare a separator impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The actual battery can be manufactured in accordance with a known method based on the concept of the present invention.

[Configuration of Evaluation Battery]

Fig. 4 shows a button-type secondary battery as a configuration of an evaluation cell.

The outer cup 1 and the outer can 3 were sealed with the insulating gasket 6 interposed therebetween by caulking both peripheral edges. A collector 7a made of a nickel mesh, a cylindrical counter electrode (positive electrode) 4 made of lithium foil, a separator 5 impregnated with an electrolytic solution, And a current collector 7b made of a copper foil with a copper foil attached thereto.

The separator 5 impregnated with the electrolytic solution is placed between the working electrode (negative electrode) made of the current collector 7b and the negative electrode material mixture 2 and the counter electrode 4 adhered to the current collector 7a The collector 7b is placed in the outer cup 1 and the counter electrode 4 is placed in the outer can 3 so that the outer cup 1 and the outer can 3 are brought into contact with each other, An insulating gasket 6 was provided on the periphery of the outer can 1 and the outer can 3, and both peripheral portions were caulked and sealed.

The evaluation battery fabricated as described above was subjected to the charge-discharge test shown below at a temperature of 25 캜 to calculate the initial charge-discharge efficiency, charge expansion rate and cycle characteristics. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[Initial Charge / Discharge Efficiency]

After the constant current charging of 0.9 mA was performed until the circuit voltage reached 0 mV, the charging was switched to the constant voltage charging when the circuit voltage reached 0 mV, and the charging was continued until the current value became 20 μA again. And the charging capacity per unit mass (unit: mAh / g) was obtained from the amount of electricity flowing therebetween. Thereafter, it was stopped for 120 minutes. Next, constant-current discharge was carried out until the circuit voltage reached 1.5 V at a current value of 0.9 mA, and the discharge capacity per unit mass (mAh / g) was determined from the amount of current flowing therebetween. The initial charge / discharge efficiency was calculated by the following formula.

Initial charge / discharge efficiency (%) = (discharge capacity / charge capacity) × 100

In this test, the process of charging lithium ions into the negative electrode material and discharging the lithium ions from the negative electrode material was discharge.

[Charge expansion rate]

The battery was charged at a constant current of 0.9 mA until the circuit voltage reached 0 mV, then switched to constant-voltage charging, and the charging was continued until the current value reached 20 μA. The evaluation cell was dismantled in a charged state, and the negative electrode was washed with ethyl methyl carbonate in an argon atmosphere, and the thickness was measured by a micrometer. The charged expansion ratio of the negative electrode active material was calculated from the thickness of the negative electrode before and after charging and the thickness of the copper foil (15 mu m) by the following formula.

Charge expansion ratio (%) = ((thickness of negative electrode after charging-thickness of negative electrode before charging)

/ (Thickness of negative electrode before charging-thickness of copper foil)) x 100

[Cycle characteristics]

An evaluation cell different from the evaluation cell in which the discharge capacity per mass, the rapid charging rate, and the rapid discharge rate were evaluated was produced and evaluated as follows.

The battery was charged at a constant current of 4.0 mA until the circuit voltage reached 0 mV, then switched to constant-voltage charging, continued to charge until the current value became 20 μA, and then paused for 120 minutes. Next, constant current discharge was performed at a current value of 4.0 mA until the circuit voltage reached 1.5 V. The charge and discharge were repeated 20 times and the cycle characteristics were calculated from the discharge capacity per mass obtained using the following formula.

Cycle characteristic (%) = (discharge capacity in the 20th cycle / discharge capacity in the first cycle) × 100

(Example 2)

Preparation of a composite body, preparation of a negative electrode and an evaluation cell, and evaluation of battery characteristics were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the compounding ratio in the preparation of the composite was changed as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

From the SEM image of the composite, flaky graphite particles are present in the form of concentric circles on the surface, and a polarization microscope image of the composite cross-section shows that voids are present in the interior and flaky graphite particles exist in a non-parallel relationship with each other Could know. It was also found from the EDX mapping image that silicon particles were dispersed and existed.

(Examples 3 and 4)

As in Example 1 except that scaly graphite particles having an average particle diameter of 5 탆 and an average flatness of 20, silicon particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 탆 and graphite fibers were added and mixed in a polyacrylic acid aqueous solution at the ratios shown in Table 1 To prepare a composite, to produce a negative electrode and an evaluation cell, and to evaluate the battery characteristics.

From the SEM image of the composite, flaky graphite particles are present in the form of concentric circles on the surface, and a polarization microscope image of the composite cross-section shows that voids are present in the interior and flaky graphite particles exist in a non-parallel relationship with each other Could know. It was also found from the EDX mapping image that silicon particles were dispersed and existed. From the SEM image of the appearance and cross section of the composite, it was also found that graphite fibers were dispersed in the composite.

(Comparative Example 1)

Scaly graphite particles having an average particle diameter of 5 占 퐉 and an average flatness of 20, silicon particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 占 퐉 and a tar oil heavy oil solution having a coal tar pitch were kneaded with a twin screw kneader. Subsequently, the kneaded product was molded into a mold, and the molded product was calcined at 1000 占 폚, followed by pulverization so as to have an average particle diameter of 10 占 퐉 to obtain a desired negative electrode material. Except for this, the preparation of the negative electrode mixture, the preparation of the negative electrode and the evaluation battery, and the evaluation of the battery characteristics were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. Further, the surface and the cross section of the composite were observed in the same manner as in Example 1, and it was confirmed that the resulting composite had pores inside, but flaky graphite particles existed on both the surface and the interior in a non-parallel manner.

The above evaluation results are shown in Tables 1 to 3. It can be seen from Examples 1 to 4 that the lithium ion secondary battery using the negative electrode material of the present invention has a high discharge capacity exceeding the theoretical capacity of graphite. In addition, it can be seen from comparison between Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 that the initial charge / discharge efficiency, charge expansion coefficient and cycle characteristics are more excellent with the negative electrode material of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a negative electrode material for a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery which can sufficiently alleviate the expansion of a metal material during charging and exhibits a high discharge capacity exceeding the theoretical capacity of graphite and an excellent initial charging and discharging efficiency do. Therefore, the lithium ion secondary battery using the negative electrode material of the present invention meets the demand for high energy density of recent batteries, and is useful for miniaturization and high performance of the mounted device. The negative electrode material of the present invention can be used for high performance lithium ion secondary batteries ranging from small size to large size by utilizing their characteristics.

1: External Cup
2: negative electrode mixture
3: External can
4: opposing electrode
5: Separator
6: Insulation gasket
7a and 7b:

Claims (10)

A spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon and metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, said composite having voids therein, said scratched graphite particles being non-parallel to each other in said composite, In the form of concentric circles,
Further, the negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery is characterized in that the metal particles are dispersed and / or present on the inside and / or the surface of the composite particle. The method according to claim 1,
The above composite material was adjusted to 100 mass%
98 to 60 mass% of scaly graphite particles,
1 to 20% by mass of the sintered carbon, and
The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the metal particles are contained in an amount of 1 to 20 mass%. The method according to claim 1,
The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, further comprising graphite fibers in the composite. The method of claim 3,
The above composite material was adjusted to 100 mass%
The scaly graphite particles: 97.5 to 55 mass%
1 to 20% by mass of the sintered carbon,
1 to 20% by mass of the metal particles, and
Wherein the graphite fiber is 0.5 to 5% by mass of the graphite fiber. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And an average flatness (Ly / t) of the scratched graphite particles is 0.5 to 40. The negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 1, A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery, comprising the negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A lithium ion secondary battery having a negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 6. A method for producing a spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon and metal particles which can be alloyed with lithium, characterized in that the scratched graphite particles and the metal particles are mixed with a solution of a binder which is a precursor of a carbonaceous material and / And then spray-dried. Thereafter, heat treatment is performed in a temperature range of 700 ° C or more and 1500 ° C or less to make the carbonaceous material and the precursor of the carbonaceous material as sintered carbon, Wherein the negative electrode material is a lithium ion secondary battery. A method for producing a spherical composite comprising scaly graphite particles, sintered carbon, metal particles capable of alloying with lithium, and graphite fibers, wherein the scratched graphite particles, the metal particles and the graphite fibers are mixed with a carbonaceous material and / The precursor of the carbonaceous material and the carbonaceous material is subjected to heat treatment in a temperature range of 700 DEG C or more and 1500 DEG C or less to make the precursor of the carbonaceous material and the carbonaceous material a sintered carbon, And then forming a final product without performing a pulverizing step. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
Characterized in that a precursor of a carbonaceous material and / or a carbonaceous material is adhered to the spray drying treatment, and then the heat treatment is performed.

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