WO2010041907A2 - Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same - Google Patents

Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010041907A2
WO2010041907A2 PCT/KR2009/005803 KR2009005803W WO2010041907A2 WO 2010041907 A2 WO2010041907 A2 WO 2010041907A2 KR 2009005803 W KR2009005803 W KR 2009005803W WO 2010041907 A2 WO2010041907 A2 WO 2010041907A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crystalline
amorphous
semi
active material
negative active
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2009/005803
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010041907A3 (en
Inventor
Sung-Man Lee
Byoung-Hoon Ahn
Original Assignee
Knu-Industry Cooperation Foundation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020090084996A external-priority patent/KR101131937B1/en
Application filed by Knu-Industry Cooperation Foundation filed Critical Knu-Industry Cooperation Foundation
Priority to CN200980140356.2A priority Critical patent/CN102187498B/en
Priority to US13/122,986 priority patent/US8753778B2/en
Publication of WO2010041907A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010041907A2/en
Publication of WO2010041907A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010041907A3/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00Electrodes
    • H01M4/02Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/13Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulators; Processes of manufacture thereof
    • H01M4/133Electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B32/00Carbon; Compounds thereof
    • C01B32/20Graphite
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B32/00Carbon; Compounds thereof
    • C01B32/20Graphite
    • C01B32/21After-treatment
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B35/00Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
    • C04B35/515Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxide ceramics
    • C04B35/52Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxide ceramics based on carbon, e.g. graphite
    • C04B35/524Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products based on non-oxide ceramics based on carbon, e.g. graphite obtained from polymer precursors, e.g. glass-like carbon material
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B35/00Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
    • C04B35/622Forming processes; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
    • C04B35/626Preparing or treating the powders individually or as batches ; preparing or treating macroscopic reinforcing agents for ceramic products, e.g. fibres; mechanical aspects section B
    • C04B35/628Coating the powders or the macroscopic reinforcing agents
    • C04B35/62802Powder coating materials
    • C04B35/62828Non-oxide ceramics
    • C04B35/62839Carbon
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B35/00Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramics compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
    • C04B35/622Forming processes; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
    • C04B35/626Preparing or treating the powders individually or as batches ; preparing or treating macroscopic reinforcing agents for ceramic products, e.g. fibres; mechanical aspects section B
    • C04B35/628Coating the powders or the macroscopic reinforcing agents
    • C04B35/62897Coatings characterised by their thickness
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00Electrodes
    • H01M4/02Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/36Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
    • H01M4/58Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy; of polyanionic structures, e.g. phosphates, silicates or borates
    • H01M4/583Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
    • H01M4/587Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx for inserting or intercalating light metals
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2235/00Aspects relating to ceramic starting mixtures or sintered ceramic products
    • C04B2235/02Composition of constituents of the starting material or of secondary phases of the final product
    • C04B2235/30Constituents and secondary phases not being of a fibrous nature
    • C04B2235/42Non metallic elements added as constituents or additives, e.g. sulfur, phosphor, selenium or tellurium
    • C04B2235/422Carbon
    • C04B2235/425Graphite
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2235/00Aspects relating to ceramic starting mixtures or sintered ceramic products
    • C04B2235/02Composition of constituents of the starting material or of secondary phases of the final product
    • C04B2235/50Constituents or additives of the starting mixture chosen for their shape or used because of their shape or their physical appearance
    • C04B2235/52Constituents or additives characterised by their shapes
    • C04B2235/528Spheres
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2235/00Aspects relating to ceramic starting mixtures or sintered ceramic products
    • C04B2235/02Composition of constituents of the starting material or of secondary phases of the final product
    • C04B2235/50Constituents or additives of the starting mixture chosen for their shape or used because of their shape or their physical appearance
    • C04B2235/52Constituents or additives characterised by their shapes
    • C04B2235/5292Flakes, platelets or plates
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2235/00Aspects relating to ceramic starting mixtures or sintered ceramic products
    • C04B2235/02Composition of constituents of the starting material or of secondary phases of the final product
    • C04B2235/50Constituents or additives of the starting mixture chosen for their shape or used because of their shape or their physical appearance
    • C04B2235/54Particle size related information
    • C04B2235/5418Particle size related information expressed by the size of the particles or aggregates thereof
    • C04B2235/5436Particle size related information expressed by the size of the particles or aggregates thereof micrometer sized, i.e. from 1 to 100 micron
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C04CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
    • C04BLIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
    • C04B2235/00Aspects relating to ceramic starting mixtures or sintered ceramic products
    • C04B2235/02Composition of constituents of the starting material or of secondary phases of the final product
    • C04B2235/50Constituents or additives of the starting mixture chosen for their shape or used because of their shape or their physical appearance
    • C04B2235/54Particle size related information
    • C04B2235/5463Particle size distributions
    • C04B2235/5481Monomodal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/05Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
    • H01M10/052Li-accumulators
    • H01M10/0525Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00Electrodes
    • H01M4/02Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/13Electrodes for accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte, e.g. for lithium-accumulators; Processes of manufacture thereof
    • H01M4/139Processes of manufacture
    • H01M4/1393Processes of manufacture of electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.
  • a carbon-based material For a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a carbon-based material is generally used.
  • the carbon-based material is classified into crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and the crystalline carbon includes natural graphite and artificial graphite.
  • the natural graphite has recently been used as a negative active material due to its low cost, good voltage flatness, and large charge and discharge capacity.
  • Electrochemical characteristics of a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery are known to be affected by shapes of negative active material particles.
  • Spherically shaped graphite has low anisotropy, and thus maintains uniformity of voltage and current distribution.
  • a graphite-based carbonaceous negative active material undergoes intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions into graphite layers.
  • High-rate charge and discharge characteristics depend on lithium ion diffusion speed into graphite particles. As the graphite particle size is reduced, high-rate charge and discharge characteristics may be improved, and thus small graphite particles as a negative active material have been required.
  • One aspect of this disclosure provides a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery having excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
  • Another aspect of this disclosure provides a method of preparing the negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery.
  • Yet another aspect of this disclosure provides a negative electrode including the negative active material.
  • Still another aspect of this disclosure provides a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material.
  • a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes composite particles including an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon matrix, and crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m dispersed in the matrix.
  • the composite particles have an average particle diameter of 4 to 40 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles are obtained by separating and pulverizing crystalline graphite such as earthy graphite.
  • the negative active material may further include an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon coating layer on the surface of the composite particles, and the coating layer has a thickness of 0.01 to 5 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles have a Raman spectrum peak ratio (I 1360 /I 1580 ) of 1580cm -1 peak intensity (I 1580 ) relative to 1360cm -1 peak intensity (I 1360 ) of 0.1 to 0.5, and in one embodiment, 0.1 to 0.3.
  • the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon may be obtained from an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl chloride resin, and the like; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, polyvinylchloride, mesophase pitch, tar, low molecular weight heavy oil, and the like, but the precursor is not limited thereto.
  • a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin,
  • the composite particles include the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and crystalline graphite powder particles at a mass ratio of 0.5 : 9.5 to 4 : 6.
  • a method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes: separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40 ⁇ m; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • a method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes: separating or pulverizing earthy graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide a composite particle having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40 ⁇ m; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the method of preparing the negative active material may further include coating the composite particles with an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor after carbonizing the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor may be selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, an epoxy resin, or a vinyl chloride resin; and soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, tar, or low molecular weight heavy oil.
  • the heat treatment may be performed at 900 to 3000°C.
  • a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material is provided.
  • a rechargeable lithium battery is provided with a positive electrode including a positive active material being capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, a negative electrode including the negative active material, and an electrolyte.
  • the negative active material provides a rechargeable lithium battery having excellent electrochemical characteristics such as high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a negative active material according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a negative active material according to another embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite before pulverizing according to Example 1
  • FIG. 4 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite after pulverizing according to Example 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the composite particles according to Example 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the assembled graphite particles using flake natural graphite into a spherical shape according to Comparative Example 1
  • FIG. 7 is a high magnification scanning electron microscope photograph of the assembled graphite particles using flake natural graphite into a spherical shape according to Comparative Example 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a particle analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles and composite particles according to Example 1.
  • FIGS. 9 to 11 are particle analysis graphs of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6, respectively.
  • FIG. 12 is a particle analysis graph of the graphite particles that are assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
  • FIG. 13 is a particle analysis graph of the earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2.
  • FIGS. 14 to 17 are particle analysis graphs of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Examples 3 to 6, respectively.
  • FIG. 18 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1.
  • FIG. 19 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the flaked natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
  • FIG. 20 is a Raman spectrum graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1.
  • FIG. 21 is a Raman spectrum graph of the flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
  • FIGS. 22 to 28 are graphs showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of half-cells according to Examples 1 to 7, respectively.
  • FIGS. 29 to 34 are graphs showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of half-cells according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6, respectively.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite particle 1 constituting the negative active material according to one embodiment.
  • the negative active material according to one embodiment includes composite particles 1 including a matrix of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 dispersed in the matrix.
  • the composite particle 1 as the negative active material includes the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 surrounding the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 that are spaced apart from each other.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are obtained by pulverizing crystalline graphite.
  • the crystalline graphite includes natural graphite such as earthy graphite .
  • the natural graphite may be classified depending on carbon content in a natural state, particle size, ash content, and use.
  • the natural graphite is classified into earthy graphite and flake graphite.
  • the earthy graphite is generally referred to as microcrystalline graphite.
  • the earthy graphite Compared with flake graphite, the earthy graphite mainly includes thermally-modified coal or carbonate sedimentary rock.
  • the earthy graphite and the flake graphite are refined to purity of more than 95% after being mined in a graphite mine.
  • the earthy graphite is formed of fine particles and has an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 to 50 ⁇ m
  • the flake graphite is formed by piling up several flat flake particles and has an average particle diameter ranging from about 100 to 200 ⁇ m.
  • the term "pulverize" is used to denote separating a chunk of the earthy graphite, while the flake graphite is pulverized into flat flask particles.
  • the flake graphite When the earthy graphite and the flake graphite are assembled into a spherical shape, the flake graphite is assembled like several cabbage leaves wrapped in a mechanical method. However, the earthy graphite is not assembled into a spherical shape in the same method.
  • crystalline graphite is obtained by separating and pulverizing natural graphite.
  • the crystalline graphite includes crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder having the above average particle diameter may be preferably separated from earthy graphite among natural graphite. It may include any natural graphite other than the earthy graphite as long as it has the above average particle diameter through separation or pulverization.
  • the earthy graphite Since the earthy graphite has a clay structure formed of agglomerated fine graphite, it needs to be separated or pulverized into fine crystalline graphite powder particles 10. In other words, when graphite particles are lumped, they have a small specific surface area that can react with Li ions per unit volume. On the other hand, when they are separated or pulverized into particles, they have a larger specific surface area that can react with Li ions, so that Li ions can be easily intercalated and deintercalated. Accordingly, they can bring about excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
  • Crystalline graphite powder particles 10 separated or pulverized from the earthy graphite have no particular limit, but in particular, may be amorphous or a flake.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 may be fine particles having an average particle diameter of 5 ⁇ m or less, 3 ⁇ m or less, 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m, and more particularly 0.5 to 2 ⁇ m.
  • the fine crystalline graphite powder particles 10 reduce the diffusion distance of lithium ions during the charge and discharge, and thereby lithium ions are easily diffused therein, improving high rate characteristics.
  • lithium ions are rapidly intercalated and deintercalated between graphite layers of the crystalline graphite powder particles 10, accomplishing excellent high rate characteristics.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 have a Raman spectrum peak ratio (I 1360 /I 1580 ) of 1580cm -1 peak intensity (I 1580 ) relative to 1360cm -1 peak intensity (I 1360 ) of 0.1 to 0.5, and in one embodiment, 0.1 to 0.3.
  • the peak intensity ratio (I 1360 /I 1580 ) denotes surface crystallinity of the graphite powder particles 10. When the peak intensity ratio (I 1360 /I 1580 ) is within the range, it may maintain excellent crystallinity, securing excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
  • the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 may be obtained from a amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl chloride resin, and the like; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, polyvinylchloride, mesophase pitch, tar, low molecular weight heavy oil, and the like, but the precursor is not limited thereto.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 form a composite particle 1 in which the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are dispersed in the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 matrix.
  • the composite particle 1 has no particular limit in shape, but in particular, may be close to a spherical shape.
  • the composite particle 1 may have an average particle diameter ranging from 4 to 40 ⁇ m and in particular, 4 to 20 ⁇ m.
  • a negative active material may have a surface area increase, not losing initial non-reversible capacity but keeping appropriate diffusion distance among lithium ions during the charge and discharge and thus, accomplishing excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
  • a composite particle 1 may include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 in a mass% of 2 to 40 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 in a mass% of 60 to 98.
  • a rechargeable lithium battery may have excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
  • the composite particle 1 may include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 in a mass ratio ranging from 0.5 : 9.5 to 4 : 6 and in particular, from 0.5 : 9.5 to 3 : 7.
  • the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 have a mass ratio within the range, the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are sufficiently assembled. Accordingly, as a rechargeable lithium battery has almost no initial non-reversible capacity loss but has increased reversible capacity, it may have excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite particle 2 constituting the negative active material according to another embodiment.
  • a negative active material may include a composite particle 2 having a coating layer 30 including amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 on the surface of a composite particle 1, in which the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 of FIG. 1 are dispersed on a matrix of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20.
  • the coating layer 30 may be 0.01 to 5 ⁇ m thick, and in particular, 0.01 to 2 ⁇ m thick. When the coating layer 30 has a thickness within the range, the surface is sufficiently coated, having almost no non-reversible capacity loss during reaction with an electrolyte and resultantly accomplishing excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
  • the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon forming the coating layer 30 may be the same precursor material as amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 including a matrix of the aforementioned composite particle.
  • a matrix of the composite particle 2 including a coating layer 30 on the surface of the composite particle and the coating layer 30 include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon prepared of the same or a different precursor.
  • a method for preparing the negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided.
  • the negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is prepared by the method of: separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite such as earthy graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ⁇ m; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40 ⁇ m; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the pulverization is performed in a common milling process, and for example, includes a ball mill, an attrition mill, a vibration mill, a disk mill, a jet mill, a rotor mill, and the like.
  • the pulverization can be performed at various speeds (rpm) for various amounts of time, depending on milling devices and the amount of material, which can be appropriately controlled by those who have common knowledge in this art.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles are mixed with the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor in a method selected from the group consisting of a dry method, a wet method, and a combination thereof.
  • the mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles with the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor is assembled into a spherical shape using a common assembling device.
  • the heat treatment may be performed at 900 to 3000°C, and in particular, at 900 to 2200°C.
  • amorphous and semi-crystalline carbon precursor may be sufficiently carbonized, accomplishing excellent charge and discharge characteristic and sufficiently removing other elements as impurities.
  • the heat treatment is performed under an inert atmosphere and sometimes under vacuum by implanting a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and a mixed gas thereof.
  • a composite particle prepared in the aforementioned method may include 2 to 40 mass% of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and 60 to 98 mass% of crystalline graphite powder particles. This ratio may be adjusted by regulating the ratio of the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery may further include coating the composite particles using an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the composite particle may be one before or after carbonizing the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor through the heat treatment.
  • the coating may include various generally-used coating methods. For example, an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor and composite particles are put in a mixer to knead them by imposing strong mechanical shear force at an appropriate temperature for softening the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor or higher.
  • composite particles are mixed with a solution prepared by dissolving an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor in an appropriate solvent. Then, the solvent is removed from the mixture. The resulting product is heat-treated for carbonization at a temperature ranging from 900 to 3000°C.
  • a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material is provided.
  • a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode including a positive active material being intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, a negative electrode including the negative active material, and an electrolyte.
  • Rechargeable lithium batteries may be classified as lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, and lithium polymer batteries according to the presence of a separator and the kind of electrolyte used in the battery.
  • the rechargeable lithium batteries may have a variety of shapes and sizes, and include cylindrical, prismatic, and coin-type batteries, and may be a thin film battery or a bulk-type battery. Structures and fabricating methods for lithium ion batteries pertaining to this disclosure are well-known in the art.
  • the negative electrode includes a negative active material, and the negative active material includes the above negative active material or a mixture of the above negative active material and a carbonaceous negative active material such as graphite.
  • the negative electrode may be fabricated as follows: a composition for a negative active material layer is prepared by mixing the negative active material, a binder, and selectively a conductive agent; and then the composition for a negative active material layer is coated on a negative current collector such as copper.
  • binder examples include polyvinyl alcohol, carboxylmethyl cellulose/styrene-butadiene rubber, hydroxypropylene cellulose, diacetylene cellulose, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, or polypropylene and the like, but are not limited thereto.
  • the conductive agent examples include natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon fiber, and a metal powder or metal fiber including copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and the like.
  • the conductive agent may be mixed with a conductive material such as a polyphenylene derivative and the like.
  • the positive electrode includes a positive active material.
  • the positive active material includes a compound (lithiated intercalation compound) being capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions.
  • the positive active material may include a composite oxide including at least one selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, and nickel, as well as lithium.
  • the positive electrode may be fabricated as follows: a composition for a positive active material layer is prepared by mixing the positive active material, a binder, and selectively a conductive agent; and then the composition for a positive active material layer is coated on a positive current collector such as aluminum.
  • the electrolyte of a rechargeable lithium battery may include a non-aqueous electrolyte or a generally-known solid electrolyte.
  • the non-aqueous organic solvent acts as a medium for transmitting ions taking part in the electrochemical reaction of the battery.
  • the non-aqueous organic solvent may include a carbonate-based, ester-based, ether-based, or ketone-based solvent.
  • the carbonate-based solvent includes dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dipropyl carbonate (DPC), methylpropyl carbonate (MPC), ethylpropyl carbonate (EPC), methylethyl carbonate (MEC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), and the like.
  • the ester-based solvent may include methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, and the like.
  • the rechargeable lithium battery may further include a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, as needed.
  • suitable separator include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and multi-layers thereof such as a polyethylene/polypropylene double-layered separator, a polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene triple-layered separator, and a polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene triple-layered separator.
  • Fine crystalline graphite powder particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8 ⁇ m were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m in a jet mill method.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and then assembled into a spherical shape, preparing composite particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m.
  • the composite particles were heat-treated at 1200°C for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the composite particles include the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Primary composite particles were prepared by mixing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8 ⁇ m with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in a jet mill method, and then assembling them into a spherical shape according to the same method as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 2:7.
  • secondary composite particles were prepared by further adding petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, onto the surface of the primary composite particles.
  • the secondary composite particles include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the primary composite particles in a mass ratio of 1:9.
  • the secondary composite particles had an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m. They were heat-treated under the same conditions as in Example 1 to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Primary composite particles were prepared by mixing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8 ⁇ m with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in a jet mill method, and then assembling them into a spherical shape according to the same method as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles were heat-treated at 1200°C for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 2:7.
  • secondary composite particles were prepared by mixing the composite particles with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and heat-treating the mixture at 1200°C for 1 hour in order to coat the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor on the surface of the composite particles.
  • the secondary composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the primary composite particles in a mass ratio of 1:9.
  • Fine crystalline graphite powder particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.6 ⁇ m were prepared by separating or pulverizing amorphous graphite with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m in a jet mill method.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m in the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • This composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 2.1 ⁇ m were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m in a jet mill method.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 2.4 ⁇ m were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m in a jet mill method.
  • the prepared crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8 ⁇ m were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m in a jet mill method.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and then assembled into a spherical shape, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 4.6 ⁇ m.
  • the composite particles were heat-treated at 1200°C for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere in order to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using flake natural graphite were used as a negative active material.
  • the graphite particles are commercially available and currently used as a negative active material.
  • the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using flake natural graphite had an average particle diameter (D50) of 17 ⁇ m.
  • Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 19.9 ⁇ m was used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 3.6 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • the composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 4.6 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of16.4 ⁇ m was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 5.8 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in order to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4 ⁇ m was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 6.9 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in order to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16 ⁇ m according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1.
  • the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
  • These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
  • FIG. 3 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of amorphous graphite before separation or pulverization according to Example 1
  • FIG. 4 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of crystalline graphite powder particles after separation or pulverization according to Example 1. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, crystalline graphite powder particles that were separated or pulverized from earthy graphite turned out to become smaller.
  • FIG. 5 shows measurements of the composite particles according to Example 1 using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  • FIG. 5 provides a scanning electron microscope photograph of the composite particle according to Example 1.
  • the composite particles assembled with crystalline graphite powder particles and amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon had a spherical shape.
  • FIG. 6 is a SEM photograph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1
  • FIG. 7 is a highly-enlarged SEM photograph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
  • the flake natural graphite used for forming the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape in Comparative Example 1 had a large size compared with the crystalline graphite powder particles (referring to FIG. 4) according to one embodiment.
  • Comparative Example 2 included earthy graphite before separation or pulverization compared with Example 1.
  • the earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2 may be referred to with the scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite before separation or pulverization shown in FIG. 3.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite and composite particles assembled therefrom according to Example 1 were measured regarding size by using a particle diameter analyzer.
  • FIG. 8 shows the results.
  • FIG. 8 is an analysis graph showing particle diameter of the crystalline graphite powder particles and the composite particles according to Example 1.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of about 1.8 ⁇ m, which is very fine.
  • the composite particles assembled from the crystalline graphite powder particles and amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon had an average particle diameter of about 16 ⁇ m.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6 were measured regarding particle diameter by using a particle diameter analyzer. The results are respectively provided in FIGS. 9 to 11.
  • FIGS. 9 to 11 are respectively a particle diameter analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of respectively 1.6 ⁇ m, 2.1 ⁇ m, and 2.4 ⁇ m, which are very fine.
  • FIG. 12 is a diameter analysis graph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
  • the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite had an average particle diameter of about 17 ⁇ m, which is similar to an average particle diameter of composite particles assembled into a spherical shape using crystalline graphite powder particles (referring to FIG. 8).
  • FIG. 13 is an average particle diameter analysis graph of earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2.
  • the amorphous graphite had an average particle diameter of 19.9 ⁇ m. It shoud have a larger size before separation or pulverization.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Examples 3 to 6 were measured regarding size. The results are respectively provided in FIGS. 14 to 17.
  • FIGS. 14 to 17 are respectively an average particle diameter analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Example 3 to 6.
  • the crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of respectively 3.6 ⁇ m, 4.6 ⁇ m, 5.8 ⁇ m, and 6.9 ⁇ m, which is larger than the average particle diameter of the crystalline graphite powder according to Example 1 (Referring to FIG. 5).
  • FIG. 18 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1. Referring to FIG. 18, it had a very strong 002 diffraction peak as a main peak after separation or pulverization, which means it maintained crystallinity.
  • FIG. 19 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of a natural graphite flake according to Comparative Example 1.
  • the negative active materials according to Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were mixed with CMC/SBR (carboxylmethyl cellulose/styrene-butadiene rubber) in a weight ratio of 95:5 in distilled water, preparing a negative electrode slurry.
  • the negative electrode slurry was coated on a 10 ⁇ m-thick copper foil in a doctor blade method, dried at 180°C for 12 hours or more, and compressed, fabricating a 50 ⁇ m- thick negative electrode substrate.
  • the negative electrode was used as a working electrode, while a metal lithium film was used as a counter electrode.
  • a separator made of a porous polypropylene film was inserted between them.
  • DEC diethyl carbonate
  • EC ethylene carbonate
  • the half-cell was charged with a current density of 0.25mA (0.2C) to evaluate electrical characteristics.
  • the charge was performed in a CC/CV mode. Its ending voltage was maintained to be 0.005V. Its charge was ended when its current was 0.007mA. It was discharged in a CC mode. Its ending voltage was maintained to be 2V. It was discharged in an order of 0.2C, 1C, 5C, and 10C. It was high-rate discharged after discharging it with 0.2C among each high rate discharge (1C, 5C, 10C).
  • FIGS. 22 to 28 are graphs respectively showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of the half-cells according to Examples 1 to 7.
  • FIGS. 29 to 34 are graphs respectively showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of the half-cells according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6.
  • the negative active materials of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 had a capacity ratio of 10C against 0.2C within a range of 29.5% to 72.5%. Accordingly, a rechargeable lithium battery according to one embodiment had a remarkably excellent output characteristic.
  • Comparative Example 1 including graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using natural graphite flake as a negative active material and Comparative Example 2 including composite particles assembled into a spherical shape using unseparated or unpulverized earthy graphite as a negative active material had a remarkably deteriorated output characteristic compared with Examples 1 to 7.
  • Comparative Example 2 including earthy graphite had a somewhat better output characteristic than Comparative Example 1 including natural graphite flake.
  • the earthy graphite (referring to FIG. 3) includes very small particles of less than 1 ⁇ m compared with natural graphite flake (referring to FIGS. 6 and 7).
  • Comparative Examples 3 to 6 including crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite but having an average particle diameter out of the range according to one embodiment had a remarkably deteriorated output characteristic compared with Examples 1 to 7. Accordingly, it is important to adjust the average particle diameter range of the crystalline graphite powder particles. Specifically, since the composite particles according to Examples 1 to 6 had an average particle diameter of 16 ⁇ m, the graphite particles according to Comparative Example 1 had an average particle diameter of 17 ⁇ m, and the composite particles according to Comparative Examples 2 to 6 had an average particle diameter of 16 ⁇ m, they had similar average particle diameters.
  • Comparative Example 1 included graphite powder particles in which lithium ions had a longer diffusion distance during the charge and discharge, so that lithium ions might not be easily diffused. Thus, it had a rather deteriorated output characteristic.
  • Comparative Examples 2 to 6 had a small specific surface area that can react with lithium ions, so that the lithium ions might not be easily intercalated/deintercalated. Thus, they had a deteriorated high-rate charge and discharge characteristic.
  • Example 7 included composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4.6 ⁇ m had a better output characteristic than Examples 1 to 6 including composite particles having an average particle diameter of 16 ⁇ m. The reason is that the composite particles had a small size during the charge and discharge so that lithium ions had a shorter diffusion distance.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
  • Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided that includes composite particles including an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon matrix, and crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3μm dispersed in the matrix. The composite particles have an average particle diameter of 4 to 40μm. A method of preparing the same and a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material are also disclosed.

Description

NEGATIVE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY, METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME, AND RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY COMPRISING THE SAME
This disclosure relates to a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method of preparing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.
For a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a carbon-based material is generally used. The carbon-based material is classified into crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and the crystalline carbon includes natural graphite and artificial graphite. The natural graphite has recently been used as a negative active material due to its low cost, good voltage flatness, and large charge and discharge capacity.
Electrochemical characteristics of a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery are known to be affected by shapes of negative active material particles. Spherically shaped graphite has low anisotropy, and thus maintains uniformity of voltage and current distribution.
During charge and discharge of a rechargeable lithium battery, a graphite-based carbonaceous negative active material undergoes intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions into graphite layers. High-rate charge and discharge characteristics depend on lithium ion diffusion speed into graphite particles. As the graphite particle size is reduced, high-rate charge and discharge characteristics may be improved, and thus small graphite particles as a negative active material have been required.
One aspect of this disclosure provides a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery having excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
Another aspect of this disclosure provides a method of preparing the negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery.
Yet another aspect of this disclosure provides a negative electrode including the negative active material.
Still another aspect of this disclosure provides a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material.
According to one aspect of this disclosure, a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided that includes composite particles including an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon matrix, and crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛ dispersed in the matrix. The composite particles have an average particle diameter of 4 to 40㎛.
The crystalline graphite powder particles are obtained by separating and pulverizing crystalline graphite such as earthy graphite.
The negative active material may further include an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon coating layer on the surface of the composite particles, and the coating layer has a thickness of 0.01 to 5㎛.
The crystalline graphite powder particles have a Raman spectrum peak ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1580cm-1 peak intensity (I1580) relative to 1360cm-1 peak intensity (I1360) of 0.1 to 0.5, and in one embodiment, 0.1 to 0.3.
The amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon may be obtained from an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl chloride resin, and the like; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, polyvinylchloride, mesophase pitch, tar, low molecular weight heavy oil, and the like, but the precursor is not limited thereto.
The composite particles include the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and crystalline graphite powder particles at a mass ratio of 0.5 : 9.5 to 4 : 6.
According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided that includes: separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40㎛; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
According to yet another aspect of this disclosure, a method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided that includes: separating or pulverizing earthy graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide a composite particle having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40㎛; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
The method of preparing the negative active material may further include coating the composite particles with an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor after carbonizing the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
The amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor may be selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, an epoxy resin, or a vinyl chloride resin; and soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, tar, or low molecular weight heavy oil.
The heat treatment may be performed at 900 to 3000℃.
According to still another aspect of this disclosure, a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material is provided.
According to another aspect of this disclosure, a rechargeable lithium battery is provided with a positive electrode including a positive active material being capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, a negative electrode including the negative active material, and an electrolyte.
Other aspects of this disclosure are described in the following detailed description.
The negative active material provides a rechargeable lithium battery having excellent electrochemical characteristics such as high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a negative active material according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a negative active material according to another embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite before pulverizing according to Example 1, and FIG. 4 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite after pulverizing according to Example 1.
FIG. 5 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the composite particles according to Example 1.
FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of the assembled graphite particles using flake natural graphite into a spherical shape according to Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 7 is a high magnification scanning electron microscope photograph of the assembled graphite particles using flake natural graphite into a spherical shape according to Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 8 is a particle analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles and composite particles according to Example 1.
FIGS. 9 to 11 are particle analysis graphs of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6, respectively.
FIG. 12 is a particle analysis graph of the graphite particles that are assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 13 is a particle analysis graph of the earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2.
FIGS. 14 to 17 are particle analysis graphs of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Examples 3 to 6, respectively.
FIG. 18 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1.
FIG. 19 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the flaked natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 20 is a Raman spectrum graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1.
FIG. 21 is a Raman spectrum graph of the flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1.
FIGS. 22 to 28 are graphs showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of half-cells according to Examples 1 to 7, respectively.
FIGS. 29 to 34 are graphs showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of half-cells according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6, respectively.
<Description of Reference Numerals Indicating Primary Elements in the Drawings>
1, 2: composite particle
10: crystalline graphite powder particle
20: amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon
30: coating layer
Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will hereinafter be described in detail. However, these embodiments are only exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite particle 1 constituting the negative active material according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the negative active material according to one embodiment includes composite particles 1 including a matrix of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 dispersed in the matrix. As shown in FIG. 1, the composite particle 1 as the negative active material includes the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 surrounding the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 that are spaced apart from each other.
The crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are obtained by pulverizing crystalline graphite. The crystalline graphite includes natural graphite such as earthy graphite.
The natural graphite may be classified depending on carbon content in a natural state, particle size, ash content, and use. The natural graphite is classified into earthy graphite and flake graphite. The earthy graphite is generally referred to as microcrystalline graphite. Compared with flake graphite, the earthy graphite mainly includes thermally-modified coal or carbonate sedimentary rock.
Illustrating the earthy graphite and the flake graphite in more detail, both are refined to purity of more than 95% after being mined in a graphite mine. However, the earthy graphite is formed of fine particles and has an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 to 50 ㎛, while the flake graphite is formed by piling up several flat flake particles and has an average particle diameter ranging from about 100 to 200 ㎛. In addition, when the earthy graphite and the flake graphite are pulverized in a milling process, the term "pulverize" is used to denote separating a chunk of the earthy graphite, while the flake graphite is pulverized into flat flask particles. When the earthy graphite and the flake graphite are assembled into a spherical shape, the flake graphite is assembled like several cabbage leaves wrapped in a mechanical method. However, the earthy graphite is not assembled into a spherical shape in the same method.
In one embodiment, crystalline graphite is obtained by separating and pulverizing natural graphite. The crystalline graphite includes crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3 ㎛. The crystalline graphite powder having the above average particle diameter may be preferably separated from earthy graphite among natural graphite. It may include any natural graphite other than the earthy graphite as long as it has the above average particle diameter through separation or pulverization.
Since the earthy graphite has a clay structure formed of agglomerated fine graphite, it needs to be separated or pulverized into fine crystalline graphite powder particles 10. In other words, when graphite particles are lumped, they have a small specific surface area that can react with Li ions per unit volume. On the other hand, when they are separated or pulverized into particles, they have a larger specific surface area that can react with Li ions, so that Li ions can be easily intercalated and deintercalated. Accordingly, they can bring about excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
Crystalline graphite powder particles 10 separated or pulverized from the earthy graphite have no particular limit, but in particular, may be amorphous or a flake.
The crystalline graphite powder particles 10 may be fine particles having an average particle diameter of 5㎛ or less, 3㎛ or less, 0.2 to 3㎛, and more particularly 0.5 to 2㎛. When the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 have an average particle diameter within the range, the fine crystalline graphite powder particles 10 reduce the diffusion distance of lithium ions during the charge and discharge, and thereby lithium ions are easily diffused therein, improving high rate characteristics. In other words, lithium ions are rapidly intercalated and deintercalated between graphite layers of the crystalline graphite powder particles 10, accomplishing excellent high rate characteristics.
The crystalline graphite powder particles 10 have a Raman spectrum peak ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1580cm-1 peak intensity (I1580) relative to 1360cm-1 peak intensity (I1360) of 0.1 to 0.5, and in one embodiment, 0.1 to 0.3. The peak intensity ratio (I1360/I1580) denotes surface crystallinity of the graphite powder particles 10. When the peak intensity ratio (I1360/I1580) is within the range, it may maintain excellent crystallinity, securing excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
The amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 may be obtained from a amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, a vinyl chloride resin, and the like; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, polyvinylchloride, mesophase pitch, tar, low molecular weight heavy oil, and the like, but the precursor is not limited thereto.
The crystalline graphite powder particles 10 form a composite particle 1 in which the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are dispersed in the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 matrix.
The composite particle 1 has no particular limit in shape, but in particular, may be close to a spherical shape.
The composite particle 1 may have an average particle diameter ranging from 4 to 40㎛ and in particular, 4 to 20㎛. When a composite particle 1 has an average particle diameter within the range, a negative active material may have a surface area increase, not losing initial non-reversible capacity but keeping appropriate diffusion distance among lithium ions during the charge and discharge and thus, accomplishing excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
According to one embodiment, a composite particle 1 may include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 in a mass% of 2 to 40 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 in a mass% of 60 to 98. When the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are included within the mass% ratio, a rechargeable lithium battery may have excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
In addition, the composite particle 1 may include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and crystalline graphite powder particles 10 in a mass ratio ranging from 0.5 : 9.5 to 4 : 6 and in particular, from 0.5 : 9.5 to 3 : 7. When the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 and the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 have a mass ratio within the range, the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 are sufficiently assembled. Accordingly, as a rechargeable lithium battery has almost no initial non-reversible capacity loss but has increased reversible capacity, it may have excellent initial charge and discharge efficiency.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a composite particle 2 constituting the negative active material according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, a negative active material according to one embodiment may include a composite particle 2 having a coating layer 30 including amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 on the surface of a composite particle 1, in which the crystalline graphite powder particles 10 of FIG. 1 are dispersed on a matrix of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20.
The coating layer 30 may be 0.01 to 5㎛ thick, and in particular, 0.01 to 2㎛ thick. When the coating layer 30 has a thickness within the range, the surface is sufficiently coated, having almost no non-reversible capacity loss during reaction with an electrolyte and resultantly accomplishing excellent high-rate charge and discharge characteristics.
The amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon forming the coating layer 30 may be the same precursor material as amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon 20 including a matrix of the aforementioned composite particle. A matrix of the composite particle 2 including a coating layer 30 on the surface of the composite particle and the coating layer 30 include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon prepared of the same or a different precursor.
According to another embodiment, a method for preparing the negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided.
The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is prepared by the method of: separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite such as earthy graphite to crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛; providing a mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor; assembling the mixture to provide composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40㎛; and heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
The pulverization is performed in a common milling process, and for example, includes a ball mill, an attrition mill, a vibration mill, a disk mill, a jet mill, a rotor mill, and the like. Herein, the pulverization can be performed at various speeds (rpm) for various amounts of time, depending on milling devices and the amount of material, which can be appropriately controlled by those who have common knowledge in this art.
The crystalline graphite powder particles are mixed with the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor in a method selected from the group consisting of a dry method, a wet method, and a combination thereof.
In addition, the mixture of the crystalline graphite powder particles with the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor is assembled into a spherical shape using a common assembling device.
The heat treatment may be performed at 900 to 3000℃, and in particular, at 900 to 2200℃. When it is performed within the temperature range, amorphous and semi-crystalline carbon precursor may be sufficiently carbonized, accomplishing excellent charge and discharge characteristic and sufficiently removing other elements as impurities.
In addition, the heat treatment is performed under an inert atmosphere and sometimes under vacuum by implanting a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and a mixed gas thereof.
A composite particle prepared in the aforementioned method may include 2 to 40 mass% of amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and 60 to 98 mass% of crystalline graphite powder particles. This ratio may be adjusted by regulating the ratio of the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
According to one embodiment, a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery may further include coating the composite particles using an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor. The composite particle may be one before or after carbonizing the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor through the heat treatment.
The coating may include various generally-used coating methods. For example, an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor and composite particles are put in a mixer to knead them by imposing strong mechanical shear force at an appropriate temperature for softening the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor or higher. In addition, composite particles are mixed with a solution prepared by dissolving an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor in an appropriate solvent. Then, the solvent is removed from the mixture. The resulting product is heat-treated for carbonization at a temperature ranging from 900 to 3000℃.
According to another embodiment, a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material is provided.
According to a further embodiment, provided is a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode including a positive active material being intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, a negative electrode including the negative active material, and an electrolyte.
Rechargeable lithium batteries may be classified as lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, and lithium polymer batteries according to the presence of a separator and the kind of electrolyte used in the battery. The rechargeable lithium batteries may have a variety of shapes and sizes, and include cylindrical, prismatic, and coin-type batteries, and may be a thin film battery or a bulk-type battery. Structures and fabricating methods for lithium ion batteries pertaining to this disclosure are well-known in the art.
The negative electrode includes a negative active material, and the negative active material includes the above negative active material or a mixture of the above negative active material and a carbonaceous negative active material such as graphite.
The negative electrode may be fabricated as follows: a composition for a negative active material layer is prepared by mixing the negative active material, a binder, and selectively a conductive agent; and then the composition for a negative active material layer is coated on a negative current collector such as copper.
Examples of the binder include polyvinyl alcohol, carboxylmethyl cellulose/styrene-butadiene rubber, hydroxypropylene cellulose, diacetylene cellulose, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, or polypropylene and the like, but are not limited thereto.
Examples of the conductive agent include natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon fiber, and a metal powder or metal fiber including copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and the like. The conductive agent may be mixed with a conductive material such as a polyphenylene derivative and the like.
The positive electrode includes a positive active material. The positive active material includes a compound (lithiated intercalation compound) being capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions. The positive active material may include a composite oxide including at least one selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, and nickel, as well as lithium.
The positive electrode may be fabricated as follows: a composition for a positive active material layer is prepared by mixing the positive active material, a binder, and selectively a conductive agent; and then the composition for a positive active material layer is coated on a positive current collector such as aluminum.
The electrolyte of a rechargeable lithium battery may include a non-aqueous electrolyte or a generally-known solid electrolyte.
The non-aqueous organic solvent acts as a medium for transmitting ions taking part in the electrochemical reaction of the battery. The non-aqueous organic solvent may include a carbonate-based, ester-based, ether-based, or ketone-based solvent. The carbonate-based solvent includes dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dipropyl carbonate (DPC), methylpropyl carbonate (MPC), ethylpropyl carbonate (EPC), methylethyl carbonate (MEC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), and the like. The ester-based solvent may include methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, and the like.
The rechargeable lithium battery may further include a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, as needed. Non-limiting examples of suitable separator include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and multi-layers thereof such as a polyethylene/polypropylene double-layered separator, a polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene triple-layered separator, and a polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene triple-layered separator.
The following examples illustrate this disclosure in more detail. These examples, however, should not in any sense be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure.
Examples
Example 1
Fine crystalline graphite powder particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8㎛ were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ in a jet mill method. The crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and then assembled into a spherical shape, preparing composite particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛. The composite particles were heat-treated at 1200℃ for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor. Herein, the composite particles include the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Example 2
Primary composite particles were prepared by mixing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8㎛ with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in a jet mill method, and then assembling them into a spherical shape according to the same method as in Example 1. Herein, the composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 2:7.
Next, secondary composite particles were prepared by further adding petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, onto the surface of the primary composite particles. The secondary composite particles include amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the primary composite particles in a mass ratio of 1:9. The secondary composite particles had an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛. They were heat-treated under the same conditions as in Example 1 to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Example 3
Primary composite particles were prepared by mixing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8㎛ with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in a jet mill method, and then assembling them into a spherical shape according to the same method as in Example 1. The composite particles were heat-treated at 1200℃ for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 2:7.
Next, secondary composite particles were prepared by mixing the composite particles with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and heat-treating the mixture at 1200℃ for 1 hour in order to coat the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor on the surface of the composite particles. The secondary composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the primary composite particles in a mass ratio of 1:9.
Example 4
Fine crystalline graphite powder particles with an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.6㎛ were prepared by separating or pulverizing amorphous graphite with an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ in a jet mill method. The crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ in the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
This composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Example 5
Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 2.1㎛ were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ in a jet mill method. The crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Example 6
Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 2.4㎛ were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ in a jet mill method. The prepared crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Example 7
Fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 1.8㎛ were prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ in a jet mill method. The crystalline graphite powder particles were mixed with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, and then assembled into a spherical shape, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 4.6㎛. The composite particles were heat-treated at 1200℃ for 1 hour under an argon atmosphere in order to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Comparative Example 1
Graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using flake natural graphite were used as a negative active material. The graphite particles are commercially available and currently used as a negative active material. The graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using flake natural graphite had an average particle diameter (D50) of 17㎛.
Comparative Example 2
Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 19.9㎛ was used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Comparative Example 3
Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 3.6㎛. The crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
The composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Comparative Example 4
Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 4.6㎛. The crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Comparative Example 5
Earthy graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of16.4㎛ was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 5.8㎛. The crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in order to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Comparative Example 6
Amorphous graphite having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16.4㎛ was pulverized in a jet mill method, preparing fine crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 6.9㎛. The crystalline graphite powder particles were used with petroleum pitch (carbon yield: 63 mass%), which is an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor, in order to prepare composite particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of 16㎛ according to the same mass ratio and process as in Example 1. The composite particles included the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mass ratio of 3:7.
These composite particles were used as a negative active material.
Experimental Example 1: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph analysis
Scanning electron microscope analysis according to Example 1
In order to examine particle shape change due to separation or pulverization in the jet mill process, earthy graphite before separation or pulverization or separated or pulverized crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1 were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results are provided in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of amorphous graphite before separation or pulverization according to Example 1, and FIG. 4 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of crystalline graphite powder particles after separation or pulverization according to Example 1. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, crystalline graphite powder particles that were separated or pulverized from earthy graphite turned out to become smaller.
In addition, FIG. 5 shows measurements of the composite particles according to Example 1 using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
That is, FIG. 5 provides a scanning electron microscope photograph of the composite particle according to Example 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the composite particles assembled with crystalline graphite powder particles and amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon had a spherical shape.
(1-2) Scanning electron microscope analysis of Comparative Example 1
The graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1 were measured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results are provided in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 6 is a SEM photograph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 7 is a highly-enlarged SEM photograph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the flake natural graphite used for forming the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape in Comparative Example 1 had a large size compared with the crystalline graphite powder particles (referring to FIG. 4) according to one embodiment.
(1-3) Scanning electron microscope analysis according to Comparative Example 2
Comparative Example 2 included earthy graphite before separation or pulverization compared with Example 1. The earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2 may be referred to with the scanning electron microscope photograph of the earthy graphite before separation or pulverization shown in FIG. 3.
Experimental Example 2: Analysis of a particle diameter analysis graph
(2-1) Analysis of particle diameter analysis graph according to Example 1
The crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite and composite particles assembled therefrom according to Example 1 were measured regarding size by using a particle diameter analyzer. FIG. 8 shows the results.
FIG. 8 is an analysis graph showing particle diameter of the crystalline graphite powder particles and the composite particles according to Example 1. Referring to FIG. 8, the crystalline graphite powder particles pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of about 1.8㎛, which is very fine. The composite particles assembled from the crystalline graphite powder particles and amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon had an average particle diameter of about 16㎛.
(2-2) Analysis of particle diameter analysis graph according to Examples 4 to 6
The crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6 were measured regarding particle diameter by using a particle diameter analyzer. The results are respectively provided in FIGS. 9 to 11.
FIGS. 9 to 11 are respectively a particle diameter analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Examples 4 to 6. Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of respectively 1.6㎛, 2.1㎛, and 2.4㎛, which are very fine.
(2-3) Analysis of particle diameter analysis graph according to Comparative Example 1
The size of a graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1 was measured with a particle diameter analyzer. The result is provided in FIG. 12.
FIG. 12 is a diameter analysis graph of the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite according to Comparative Example 1. Referring to FIG. 12, the graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape using flake natural graphite had an average particle diameter of about 17㎛, which is similar to an average particle diameter of composite particles assembled into a spherical shape using crystalline graphite powder particles (referring to FIG. 8).
(2-4) Analysis of average particle diameter graph analysis according to Comparative Example 2
Earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2 was measured regarding size using a particle diameter analyzer. The result is given in FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 is an average particle diameter analysis graph of earthy graphite according to Comparative Example 2. Referring to FIG. 13, the amorphous graphite had an average particle diameter of 19.9㎛. It shoud have a larger size before separation or pulverization.
(2-5) Analysis of an average particle diameter analysis graph according to Comparative Examples 3 to 6
The crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Examples 3 to 6 were measured regarding size. The results are respectively provided in FIGS. 14 to 17.
FIGS. 14 to 17 are respectively an average particle diameter analysis graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Comparative Example 3 to 6.
Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, the crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite had an average particle diameter of respectively 3.6㎛, 4.6㎛, 5.8㎛, and 6.9㎛, which is larger than the average particle diameter of the crystalline graphite powder according to Example 1 (Referring to FIG. 5).
Experimental Example 3: X-ray diffraction pattern analysis
(3-1) X-ray diffraction pattern analysis according to Example 1
In order to examine the crystal status of the crystalline graphite powder particle after separation or pulverization according to Example 1, it was measured using an X-ray diffraction analyzer. The result is provided in FIG. 18.
FIG. 18 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1. Referring to FIG. 18, it had a very strong 002 diffraction peak as a main peak after separation or pulverization, which means it maintained crystallinity.
(3-2) X-ray diffraction pattern analysis according to Comparative Example 1
In order to examine the crystal status of the natural graphite flake of Comparative Example 1, it was measured using an X-ray diffraction analyzer. The result is provided in FIG. 19.
FIG. 19 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of a natural graphite flake according to Comparative Example 1.
Referring to FIG. 19, it had a very strong 002 diffraction peak as a main peak, which means that it maintained crystallinity.
Experimental Example 4: Raman spectrum analysis
(4-1) Raman spectrum analysis according to Example 1
In order to evaluate the crystal status of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1, they were measured using a Raman spectrum. The result is provided in FIG. 20.
FIG. 20 is a Raman spectrum graph of the crystalline graphite powder particles according to Example 1. Referring to FIG. 20, they had a ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1360cm-1 peak intensity (I1360=40.9) against 1580cm-1 peak intensity (I1580=143.6) of 0.28, and thereby maintained crystallinity after the jet mill process.
(4-2) Raman spectrum analysis according to Comparative Example 1
In order to evaluate the crystal status of the natural graphite flake according to Comparative Example 1, it was measured using a Raman spectrum. The result is provided in FIG. 21.
FIG. 21 is a Raman spectrum graph of the natural graphite flake according to Comparative Example 1. Referring to FIG. 21, it had a ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1360cm-1 peak intensity (I1360=30.2) against 1580cm-1 peak intensity (I1580=122.6) of 0.25, and thereby had crystallinity.
<Fabrication of a test cell>
The negative active materials according to Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were mixed with CMC/SBR (carboxylmethyl cellulose/styrene-butadiene rubber) in a weight ratio of 95:5 in distilled water, preparing a negative electrode slurry. The negative electrode slurry was coated on a 10㎛-thick copper foil in a doctor blade method, dried at 180℃ for 12 hours or more, and compressed, fabricating a 50㎛- thick negative electrode substrate.
The negative electrode was used as a working electrode, while a metal lithium film was used as a counter electrode. Next, a separator made of a porous polypropylene film was inserted between them. Then, an electrolyte solution was prepared by dissolving LiPF6 in a concentration of 1mol/L in a mixed solvent of diethyl carbonate (DEC) and ethylene carbonate (EC) (DEC:EC = 1:1), fabricating a 2016 coin-type half-cell.
Experimental Example 5: Charge and discharge characteristic analysis
The half-cell was charged with a current density of 0.25mA (0.2C) to evaluate electrical characteristics. The charge was performed in a CC/CV mode. Its ending voltage was maintained to be 0.005V. Its charge was ended when its current was 0.007mA. It was discharged in a CC mode. Its ending voltage was maintained to be 2V. It was discharged in an order of 0.2C, 1C, 5C, and 10C. It was high-rate discharged after discharging it with 0.2C among each high rate discharge (1C, 5C, 10C).
The half-cells according to Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were measured regarding charge and discharge characteristics. The results are provided in FIGS. 22 to 34 and the following Table 1.
FIGS. 22 to 28 are graphs respectively showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of the half-cells according to Examples 1 to 7. FIGS. 29 to 34 are graphs respectively showing high-rate charge and discharge characteristics of the half-cells according to Comparative Examples 1 to 6.
The high-rate charge and discharge characteristics provided in FIGS. 22 to 28 and 29 to 34 re summarized in the following Table 1.
Table 1
Reversible capacity(mAh/g) High-rate charge and discharge characteristic (mAh/g) 10C/0.2C (%) 5C/0.2C(%)
1C 5C 10C
Example 1 319.4 311.4 296.6 288.0 90.2 92.9
Example 2 323.0 310.5 292.5 268.6 83.2 90.5
Example 3 324.8 310.2 292.6 272.6 83.9 90.1
Example 4 318.3 313.7 308.4 290.8 91.4 96.9
Example 5 315.3 311.4 303.5 280.4 90.0 96.3
Example 6 317.1 310.4 302.9 278.0 87.7 95.5
Example 7 311.2 306.8 305.4 300.4 96.5 98.2
Comparative Example 1 357.6 339.1 171.0 105.6 29.5 47.8
Comparative Example 2 310.9 289.4 243.5 107.1 78.3 34.5
Comparative Example 3 316.6 308.7 286.0 229.7 72.5 90.3
Comparative Example 4 315.0 301.9 281.0 192.2 61.0 89.2
Comparative Example 5 316.8 298.0 273.4 177.6 56.1 86.3
Comparative Example 6 313.1 281.8 268.8 159.7 51.0 85.8
Based on Table 1 and FIGS. 22 to 34, Examples 1 to 7 including composite particles into which fine crystalline graphite powder particles pulverized from earthy graphite and amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon are assembled, as a negative active material according to one embodiment, had a capacity ratio of 10C against 0.2C within a range of 83.2% to 96.5%. On the other hand, the negative active materials of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 had a capacity ratio of 10C against 0.2C within a range of 29.5% to 72.5%. Accordingly, a rechargeable lithium battery according to one embodiment had a remarkably excellent output characteristic.
In particular, Comparative Example 1 including graphite particles assembled into a spherical shape by using natural graphite flake as a negative active material and Comparative Example 2 including composite particles assembled into a spherical shape using unseparated or unpulverized earthy graphite as a negative active material had a remarkably deteriorated output characteristic compared with Examples 1 to 7. The reason is that natural graphite flake and unseparated or unpulverize earthy graphite had a particle size such that lithium ions had a longer diffusion distance during the charge and discharge, which means lithium ions were not easily diffused. Herein, Comparative Example 2 including earthy graphite had a somewhat better output characteristic than Comparative Example 1 including natural graphite flake. The earthy graphite (referring to FIG. 3) includes very small particles of less than 1㎛ compared with natural graphite flake (referring to FIGS. 6 and 7).
In addition, Comparative Examples 3 to 6 including crystalline graphite powder particles separated or pulverized from earthy graphite but having an average particle diameter out of the range according to one embodiment had a remarkably deteriorated output characteristic compared with Examples 1 to 7. Accordingly, it is important to adjust the average particle diameter range of the crystalline graphite powder particles. Specifically, since the composite particles according to Examples 1 to 6 had an average particle diameter of 16㎛, the graphite particles according to Comparative Example 1 had an average particle diameter of 17㎛, and the composite particles according to Comparative Examples 2 to 6 had an average particle diameter of 16㎛, they had similar average particle diameters. However, since the composite particles according to Examples 1 to 6 included very fine crystalline graphite powder particles ranging from 0.2 to 3㎛ and surrounded with amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon, lithium ions could be rapidly intercalated and deintercalated among graphite layers, achieving an excellent high rate characteristic. On the contrary, Comparative Example 1 included graphite powder particles in which lithium ions had a longer diffusion distance during the charge and discharge, so that lithium ions might not be easily diffused. Thus, it had a rather deteriorated output characteristic. Comparative Examples 2 to 6 had a small specific surface area that can react with lithium ions, so that the lithium ions might not be easily intercalated/deintercalated. Thus, they had a deteriorated high-rate charge and discharge characteristic.
In particular, Example 7 included composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4.6㎛ had a better output characteristic than Examples 1 to 6 including composite particles having an average particle diameter of 16㎛. The reason is that the composite particles had a small size during the charge and discharge so that lithium ions had a shorter diffusion distance.
While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

  1. A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising:
    an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon matrix; and
    composite particles formed by dispersing crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛ in the matrix,
    wherein the composite particles have an average particle diameter ranging from 4 to 40㎛.
  2. The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery of claim 1, wherein the crystalline graphite powder particles are prepared by separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite.
  3. The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery of claim 1, wherein the crystalline graphite powder particles are prepared by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite.
  4. The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery of claim 1, wherein the composite particles comprise amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon comprising the matrix surround the crystalline graphite powder particles in a mutually detached status.
  5. The negative active materials of any one of claims 1 to 4, which further comprises a coating layer comprising amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon on the surface of the composite particles.
  6. The negative active material of claim 5, wherein the coating layer is 0.01 to 5㎛ thick.
  7. The negative active materials of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the crystalline graphite powder particles have has a ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1360cm-1 of peak intensity (I1360) against 1580cm-1 of peak intensity (I1580) of 0.1 to 0.5 in a Raman spectrum.
  8. The negative active materials of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the crystalline graphite powder particles have a ratio (I1360/I1580) of 1360cm-1 of peak intensity (I1360) against 1580cm-1 of peak intensity (I1580) of 0.1 to 0.3 in a Raman spectrum.
  9. The negative active material of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon is formed from an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of sucrose, a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinylalcohol resin, a furfuryl alcohol resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, a cellulose resin, a styrene resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, or a vinyl chloride resin; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, polyvinylchloride, mesophase pitch, tar, or low molecular weight heavy oil.
  10. The negative active material of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composite particles comprise the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon and the crystalline graphite powder particle in a mass ratio ranging from 0.5 : 9.5 to 4 : 6.
  11. A method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising:
    preparing crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛ by separating or pulverizing crystalline graphite;
    preparing a mixture by mixing the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor;
    preparing composite particles by assembling the mixture having an average particle diameter ranging from 4 to 40㎛; and
    heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  12. A method of preparing a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising:
    preparing crystalline graphite powder particles having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 3㎛ by separating or pulverizing earthy graphite;
    preparing a mixture by mixing the crystalline graphite powder particles and an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor;
    preparing composite particles having an average particle diameter of 4 to 40㎛ by assembling the mixture; and
    heat-treating the composite particles to carbonize the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  13. The method of claim 11 or 12, which further comprises coating the composite particles prepared by carbonizing an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor using an amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor.
  14. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the amorphous or semi-crystalline carbon precursor is selected from the group consisting of a hard carbon source material of a phenol resin, a naphthalene resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a polyamide resin, a furan resin, an epoxy resin, or a vinyl chloride resin; and a soft carbon source material of coal pitch, petroleum pitch, tar, or low molecular weight heavy oil.
  15. A method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the heat treatment is performed at 900 to 3000℃.
  16. A negative electrode comprising the negative active material of any one of claims 1 to 4.
  17. A rechargeable lithium battery comprising:
    a positive electrode comprising a positive active material that can intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions;
    a negative electrode comprising a negative active material of any one of claims 1 to 4; and
    an electrolyte.
PCT/KR2009/005803 2008-10-10 2009-10-09 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same WO2010041907A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200980140356.2A CN102187498B (en) 2008-10-10 2009-10-09 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same
US13/122,986 US8753778B2 (en) 2008-10-10 2009-10-09 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2008-0099845 2008-10-10
KR20080099845 2008-10-10
KR10-2009-0084996 2009-09-09
KR1020090084996A KR101131937B1 (en) 2008-10-10 2009-09-09 Negative active material for lithium rechargeable battery, method of preparing the same, and lithium rechargeable battery comprising the same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010041907A2 true WO2010041907A2 (en) 2010-04-15
WO2010041907A3 WO2010041907A3 (en) 2011-02-24

Family

ID=42101114

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/KR2009/005803 WO2010041907A2 (en) 2008-10-10 2009-10-09 Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010041907A2 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102237512A (en) * 2010-04-21 2011-11-09 比亚迪股份有限公司 Anode material and preparation method thereof
CN102299365A (en) * 2011-07-04 2011-12-28 东莞新能源科技有限公司 Lithium ion battery preventing overdischarge and battery pack thereof
CN103250285A (en) * 2010-12-08 2013-08-14 日本焦化工业株式会社 Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and method for producing same
EP2698848A1 (en) * 2012-08-14 2014-02-19 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, and negative electrode and rechargeable lithium battery including same
EP2792637A4 (en) * 2011-12-16 2015-08-19 Jfe Chemical Corp Method for producing amorphous carbon particles, amorphous carbon particles, negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and lithium ion secondary battery
EP3098822A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-11-30 GS Yuasa International Ltd. Energy storage device
EP3371845A4 (en) * 2015-10-28 2018-09-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electrode, battery, and method for manufacturing electrode
EP3621132A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-11 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method for preparing same, negative electrode including the same and rechargeable lithium battery including same
US11641013B2 (en) 2020-03-03 2023-05-02 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including same

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05101818A (en) * 1991-08-07 1993-04-23 Mitsubishi Gas Chem Co Inc Carbon molding for negative electrode and lithium secondary battery
JP3262704B2 (en) * 1995-04-24 2002-03-04 シャープ株式会社 Carbon electrode for non-aqueous secondary battery, method for producing the same, and non-aqueous secondary battery using the same
KR101027091B1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2011-04-06 쇼와 덴코 가부시키가이샤 Carbon material for battery electrode and production method and use thereof
US7618678B2 (en) * 2003-12-19 2009-11-17 Conocophillips Company Carbon-coated silicon particle powders as the anode material for lithium ion batteries and the method of making the same
KR100830612B1 (en) * 2006-05-23 2008-05-21 강원대학교산학협력단 Negative active material for lithium secondary battery, method of preparing same, and lithium secondary battery comprising same

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102237512A (en) * 2010-04-21 2011-11-09 比亚迪股份有限公司 Anode material and preparation method thereof
CN103250285A (en) * 2010-12-08 2013-08-14 日本焦化工业株式会社 Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and method for producing same
EP2650955A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2013-10-16 Nippon Coke & Engineering Co., Ltd. Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and method for producing same
EP2650955A4 (en) * 2010-12-08 2014-08-06 Nippon Coke & Engineering Co Ltd Negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and method for producing same
CN102299365A (en) * 2011-07-04 2011-12-28 东莞新能源科技有限公司 Lithium ion battery preventing overdischarge and battery pack thereof
EP2792637A4 (en) * 2011-12-16 2015-08-19 Jfe Chemical Corp Method for producing amorphous carbon particles, amorphous carbon particles, negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, and lithium ion secondary battery
EP2698848A1 (en) * 2012-08-14 2014-02-19 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, and negative electrode and rechargeable lithium battery including same
US9905842B2 (en) 2012-08-14 2018-02-27 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, and negative electrode and rechargeable lithium battery including same
JP2016225137A (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-12-28 株式会社Gsユアサ Power storage element
EP3098822A1 (en) * 2015-05-29 2016-11-30 GS Yuasa International Ltd. Energy storage device
US9991563B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2018-06-05 Gs Yuasa International Ltd. Energy storage device and energy storage apparatus
AU2016203400B2 (en) * 2015-05-29 2020-10-22 Gs Yuasa International Ltd. Energy storage device and energy storage apparatus
EP3371845A4 (en) * 2015-10-28 2018-09-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electrode, battery, and method for manufacturing electrode
EP3621132A1 (en) * 2018-09-07 2020-03-11 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method for preparing same, negative electrode including the same and rechargeable lithium battery including same
US11276859B2 (en) 2018-09-07 2022-03-15 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method for preparing same, negative electrode including the same and rechargeable lithium battery including same
US11641013B2 (en) 2020-03-03 2023-05-02 Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd. Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010041907A3 (en) 2011-02-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2010041907A2 (en) Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery comprising the same
WO2015065047A1 (en) Negative electrode active material and method for preparing same
WO2019107936A1 (en) Negative electrode active material, negative electrode and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2017099456A1 (en) Negative electrode active material for lithium secondary battery comprising core composed of carbon, manufacturing method therefor, and lithium secondary battery including same
WO2014084679A1 (en) Anode active material, lithium secondary battery including same, and manufacturing method for anode active material
WO2014126413A1 (en) Anode active material for sodium secondary battery, method for manufacturing electrode using same, and sodium secondary battery comprising same
WO2013081245A1 (en) Lithium secondary battery having improved safety and stability
WO2016018023A1 (en) Graphite secondary particle, and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2021066584A1 (en) Globular carbon-based anode active material, method for manufacturing same, and anode and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2018117752A1 (en) Negative electrode active material and negative electrode comprising same for electrochemical device
WO2019194613A1 (en) Cathode active material, method for preparing cathode active material, cathode including cathode active material, and secondary battery including cathode
WO2019164347A1 (en) Negative electrode active material for lithium secondary battery, negative electrode containing same for lithium secondary battery, and lithium secondary battery
WO2019151778A1 (en) Anode active material for lithium secondary battery, anode comprising same, and lithium ion secondary battery comprising same anode
WO2019066129A2 (en) Composite anode active material, manufacturing method therefor, and lithium secondary battery having anode including same
WO2019147093A1 (en) Conductive material, electrode-forming slurry including same, electrode, and lithium secondary battery manufactured using same
WO2022060138A1 (en) Negative electrode and secondary battery comprising same
WO2022055308A1 (en) Negative electrode material, and negative electrode and secondary battery comprising same
WO2015093894A1 (en) Anode active material, and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2019078626A1 (en) Method for preparing cathode active material for secondary battery and secondary battery using same
WO2020067793A1 (en) Sulfur-carbon composite and manufacturing method therefor
WO2021112606A1 (en) Cathode active material for lithium secondary battery and method for preparing cathode active material
WO2015088248A1 (en) Negative electrode material for secondary battery, and secondary battery using same
WO2017074109A1 (en) Cathode for secondary battery, method for preparing same, and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2019078685A2 (en) Lithium secondary battery positive electrode active material, method for preparing same, and lithium secondary battery positive electrode and lithium secondary battery comprising same
WO2019066585A1 (en) Method for preparing cathode active material for secondary battery, cathode active material prepared thereby, and lithium secondary battery comprising same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 200980140356.2

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 09819414

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 13122986

Country of ref document: US

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 09819414

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2