Method for identifying batteries, and method for manufacturing batteries

Abstract

To provide a novel method for identifying a battery, and a manufacturing method of the battery including a step for such identifying.SOLUTION: A method for identifying a battery, comprises steps of: (a) acquiring microscopic image information on at least one layer of a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer constructing the battery; and (b) comparing microscopic image information acquired in (a) with the previously acquired microscopic image information on the layer on which the microscopic image information is acquired in (a). The method for manufacturing the battery further comprises: (a) acquiring microscopic image information on at least one layer of the positive electrode active material layer, the solid electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode active material layer at the time of manufacturing the battery; and (b) recording the microscopic image information acquired in (a) in a recording device for identifying the battery at collection of the battery.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for identifying a battery and a method for manufacturing a battery.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, regulations regarding the carbon footprint, due diligence in material procurement, and recycling, etc. for batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, have been strengthened. Therefore, the need to ensure battery traceability has been increasing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery provided with an identification display composed of an X-ray absorbent filler and a binder, and capable of non-destructively confirming traceability.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel method for identifying a battery and a method for manufacturing a battery including a process for such identification.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by the following means. <Aspect 1> (a) Obtaining microscopic image information for at least one of a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer constituting a battery; (b) Comparing the microscopic image information obtained in step (a) with the microscopic image information previously obtained for the at least one layer A method for identifying batteries, including [specific details omitted]. <Aspect 2> The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the microscope image information in step (a) is acquired when the battery is recovered. <Aspect 3> In step (b) above, the previously acquired microscope image information was acquired during the manufacturing of the battery, and When collecting batteries, the above comparison is performed. The method according to embodiment 1 or 2. <Aspect 4> The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the microscopic image information is microscopic image information of the positive electrode active material layer. <Aspect 5> (a) During the manufacturing of the battery, microscopic image information is obtained for at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and negative electrode active material layer that constitute the battery. (b) Record the microscope image information obtained in step (a) on a recording device for the purpose of identifying the battery when it is recovered. A method for manufacturing batteries, including the invention of a battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure provides a novel method for identifying a battery, and a method for manufacturing a battery, including a step for such identification. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the essence of the disclosure.

[0009] 《How to identify batteries》 A method for identifying a battery according to this disclosure includes (a) acquiring microscopic image information for at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and negative electrode active material layer constituting the battery, and (b) comparing the microscopic image information acquired in step (a) with previously acquired microscopic image information for the layer for which the microscopic image information was acquired in step (a).

[0010] The disclosing parties have devised a novel method for identifying batteries, which involves acquiring microscopic image information for a specific layer constituting the battery and comparing this microscopic image information with previously acquired microscopic image information for the same layer, and have come to make this disclosure.

[0011] According to the method disclosed herein, batteries can be identified based on tamper-resistant information, such as microscope image information.

[0012] <Microscope Image Information Acquisition Process> The method of the present disclosure includes (a) acquiring microscopic image information of at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and negative electrode active material layer that constitute the battery.

[0013] Microscopic image information may be microscopic image information of the positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material may contain many metals subject to recycling regulations, and therefore, it is especially important to check whether the information regarding the positive electrode active material layer has been replaced with counterfeit products.

[0014] Methods for acquiring microscopic image information include, for example, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to capture images of the target layer and acquire image data.

[0015] In the method disclosed herein, microscopic image information may be acquired when the battery is recovered. In this case, the acquisition of microscopic image information is performed by destroying the battery and extracting the target layer.

[0016] <Microscope Image Information Comparison Process> The method of this disclosure includes (b) comparing the microscopic image information obtained in step (a) with previously obtained microscopic image information for the layer from which the microscopic image information was obtained in step (a).

[0017] In the method of the present disclosure, the microscope image information acquired in advance may be the one acquired during the manufacture of the battery, and the comparison of the microscope image information may be performed during the recovery of the battery.

[0018] By adopting such a method, for example, it is possible to confirm whether the battery has been replaced with a non-genuine product during the period from the manufacture to the recovery of the battery.

[0019] As a method for comparing the microscope image information, a method of evaluating the identity of the battery recognized from each image information on a database is exemplified.

[0020] For example, in the method of the present disclosure, information regarding specific components of the layer from which the microscope image information is acquired can be compared. For example, when the layer from which the microscope image information is acquired is the positive electrode active material layer, information regarding the positive electrode active material can be compared.

[0021] Specifically, for example, the ratio of the positive electrode active material having a specific cross-sectional shape can be compared. That is, by controlling in advance the ratio of the positive electrode active material having a specific cross-sectional shape and observing a cross-sectional SEM image, this ratio can be compared. As a method for controlling the ratio of the positive electrode active material having a specific cross-sectional shape, a method of granulating the positive electrode active material particles into secondary particles is exemplified. In particular, by adjusting the conditions during granulation, this ratio can be more appropriately controlled. As a granulation method, spray drying is exemplified.

[0022] Further, for example, elements analyzable by SEM-EDX are distributed in the positive electrode active material particles, and based on the image analyzed by SEM-EDX, the ratio of the positive electrode active material in which this element is distributed can be compared. Examples of such elements include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and the like.

[0023] Furthermore, for example, by mixing a metal oxide in an amount that does not affect battery performance into the positive electrode active material particles and observing cross-sectional SEM images, the proportion of positive electrode active material containing this metal oxide can be compared. Examples of metal oxides include aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide.

[0024] Battery manufacturing method A method for manufacturing a battery according to the present disclosure includes (a) acquiring microscopic image information of at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and negative electrode active material layer constituting the battery during the manufacturing of the battery, and (b) recording the microscopic image information acquired in step (a) in a recording device for battery identification when the battery is recovered.

[0025] <Microscope Image Information Acquisition Process> The method of the present disclosure includes (a) acquiring microscopic image information of at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and negative electrode active material layer constituting the battery during the manufacturing of the battery. For this step, refer to the above description of the microscopic image information acquisition step in the battery identification method of the present disclosure.

[0026] <Microscope Image Information Recording Process> (b) This includes recording the microscope image information obtained in step (a) in a recording device for the purpose of identifying the battery when it is recovered.

[0027] One specific method for recording this information is, for example, to record SEM image data of the positive electrode active material layer on a server. The information recorded in this way can be used to identify the battery when it is recovered. For information on the identification method, please refer to the above description of the battery identification method in this disclosure.

[0028] Furthermore, batteries having a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer can be manufactured according to conventional methods.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a battery having a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer, (a) To acquire microscopic image information of at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, the solid electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode active material layer that constitute the battery. (b) Comparing the microscope image information obtained in step (a) with the previously obtained microscope image information for at least one layer. A method for identifying batteries, including [specific details omitted].

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microscope image information in step (a) is acquired when the battery is recovered.

3. In step (b) above, the previously acquired microscope image information was acquired during the manufacturing of the battery, and When the aforementioned battery is recovered, the comparison is performed. The method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the microscopic image information is microscopic image information of the positive electrode active material layer.

5. A method for manufacturing a battery having a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer, (a) During the manufacture of the battery, microscopic image information is obtained for at least one of the positive electrode active material layer, the solid electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode active material layer that constitute the battery. (b) Record the microscope image information obtained in step (a) on a recording device for the purpose of identifying the battery when it is recovered. A method for manufacturing batteries, including the invention of a battery.