Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Abstract

This nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery (10) is provided with a positive electrode (11), a negative electrode (12), and a nonaqueous electrolyte. A positive electrode mixture layer which constitutes the positive electrode (11) contains a positive electrode active material that is mainly composed of a lithium cobalt composite oxide having a layered crystal structure. The lithium cobalt composite oxide is a composite oxide represented by general formula LiCo(1-w-x-y-z)AlwMgxTiyMnzO2. (In the formula, 0.010 ≤ w ≤ 0.013, 0.003 ≤ x ≤ 0.006, 0.0004 ≤ y ≤ 0.0006, and 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.0015.) The nonaqueous electrolyte contains 3% by mass or more of a cyclic sulfonic acid ester with respect to the mass of the nonaqueous electrolyte.

Description

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

[0002] The positive electrode active material, which is a main component of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, has a large effect on battery performance, such as not only the battery capacity but also the charge / discharge cycle characteristics, thermal stability, and output characteristics. Therefore, much research has been conducted on the positive electrode active material. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a positive electrode active material having the general formula LiNiCo （１－ｘ－ｙ） M1 ｙ O ２ (wherein 0.65≦x≦0.90, 0.02≦y≦0.06, and M1 is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ti, Mn, and Zr) and a lithium nickel cobalt composite oxide represented by the general formula LiCo （１－ｚ） M2 ｚ O ２ (0.005≦z≦0.03, M2 is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ti, Mn, and Zr) and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the lithium-cobalt composite oxide.

[0003] JP 2011-192541 A

[0004] When a lithium-cobalt composite oxide (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "LCO") is used as the positive electrode active material of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, a high capacity can be achieved by increasing the end-of-charge voltage. However, as a result of studies by the present inventors, it was found that increasing the end-of-charge voltage in a battery using a conventional LCO significantly reduces the capacity during charging and discharging.

[0005] The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present disclosure is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode has a positive electrode core and a positive electrode mixture layer provided on the positive electrode core, the positive electrode mixture layer includes a positive electrode active material mainly composed of a lithium-cobalt composite oxide having a layered crystal structure, and the lithium-cobalt composite oxide is represented by the general formula LiCo(1-w-x-y-z)Al ｗ Mg ｘ Ti ｙ Mn ｚ O ２(wherein 0.010≦w≦0.013, 0.003≦x≦0.006, 0.0004≦y≦0.0006, 0≦z≦0.0015), and is characterized by containing 3 mass % or more of a cyclic sulfonate ester relative to the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte.

[0006] The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present disclosure can achieve high capacity and improved charge / discharge cycle characteristics.

[0007] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment;

[0008] In nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries using LCO-based composite oxides as the positive electrode active material, it is important to increase the end-of-charge voltage to achieve high capacity while maintaining good charge-discharge cycle characteristics. However, increasing the end-of-charge voltage causes crystal transition or decomposition of the LCO, releasing oxygen from the crystal structure and promoting the oxidative decomposition reaction between the positive electrode active material and the electrolyte. This is thought to result in a significant decrease in capacity during charge and discharge.

[0009] As a result of intensive research to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that a positive electrode active material having the general formula LiCo(1-w-x-y-z)Al ｗ Mg ｘ Ti ｙ Mn ｚ O ２ (wherein 0.010≦w≦0.013, 0.003≦x≦0.006, 0.0004≦y≦0.0006, 0≦z≦0.0015) and by adding a cyclic sulfonate ester to the non-aqueous electrolyte, it has been found that excellent cycle characteristics can be ensured even when the end-of-charge voltage of the battery is increased.

[0010] When Al, Mg, and Ti are co-added to an LCO-based composite oxide, the transition or decomposition of the crystal structure that accompanies an increase in charging voltage is suppressed, but decomposition of the non-aqueous electrolyte on the positive electrode surface becomes a problem under high voltage. The cyclic sulfonate ester is thought to strengthen the protective coating formed on the positive electrode surface, and the synergistic effect with the positive electrode active material ensures good output characteristics while achieving excellent cycle characteristics.

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that configurations obtained by selectively combining the respective components of the multiple embodiments and variations described below are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] In the following, a cylindrical battery in which a wound electrode assembly 14 is housed in a cylindrical outer can 16 with a bottom is exemplified, but the outer can is not limited to a cylindrical outer can and may be, for example, a prismatic outer can (prismatic battery) or a coin-shaped outer can (coin battery). It may also be an outer can (pouch-type battery) made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer. The electrode assembly is also not limited to a wound type and may be a laminated electrode assembly in which multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 , the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 includes a wound electrode assembly 14, a nonaqueous electrolyte (not shown), and an outer can 16 that accommodates the electrode assembly 14 and the nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrode assembly 14 has a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, and a separator 13, and has a wound structure in which the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are spirally wound with the separator 13 interposed therebetween. The outer can 16 is a cylindrical metal container with a bottom that is open on one axial side, and the opening of the outer can 16 is closed by a sealing member 17. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the sealing member 17 side of the battery will be referred to as the top, and the bottom side of the outer can 16 will be referred to as the bottom.

[0014] The positive electrode 11, negative electrode 12, and separator 13 that constitute the electrode assembly 14 are all long, strip-like bodies that are spirally wound and alternately stacked in the radial direction of the electrode assembly 14. The negative electrode 12 is formed to be slightly larger than the positive electrode 11 in order to prevent lithium precipitation. That is, the negative electrode 12 is formed to be longer than the positive electrode 11 in both the longitudinal direction and the width direction (short direction). The separator 13 is formed to be at least slightly larger than the positive electrode 11, and, for example, two separators 13 are arranged to sandwich the positive electrode 11. The electrode assembly 14 has a positive electrode lead 20 connected to the positive electrode 11 by welding or the like, and a negative electrode lead 21 connected to the negative electrode 12 by welding or the like.

[0015] Insulating plates 18 and 19 are disposed above and below the electrode body 14. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the positive electrode lead 20 passes through a through hole in the insulating plate 18 and extends toward the sealing body 17, and the negative electrode lead 21 passes outside the insulating plate 19 and extends toward the bottom side of the outer can 16. The positive electrode lead 20 is connected to the underside of an internal terminal plate 23 of the sealing body 17 by welding or the like, and a cap 27, which is the top plate of the sealing body 17 and is electrically connected to the internal terminal plate 23, serves as the positive electrode terminal. The negative electrode lead 21 is connected to the inner bottom surface of the outer can 16 by welding or the like, and the outer can 16 serves as the negative electrode terminal.

[0016] A gasket 28 is provided between the exterior can 16 and the sealing body 17 to ensure airtightness inside the battery. The exterior can 16 has a grooved portion 22 formed on its side surface that protrudes inward and supports the sealing body 17. The grooved portion 22 is preferably formed in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the exterior can 16, and supports the sealing body 17 on its top surface. The sealing body 17 is fixed to the top of the exterior can 16 by the grooved portion 22 and the open end of the exterior can 16 that is crimped to the sealing body 17.

[0017] The sealing body 17 has a structure in which, in order from the electrode body 14 side, an internal terminal plate 23, a lower valve body 24, an insulating member 25, an upper valve body 26, and a cap 27 are stacked. Each member constituting the sealing body 17 has, for example, a disk or ring shape, and each member except for the insulating member 25 is electrically connected to one another. The lower valve body 24 and the upper valve body 26 are connected at their respective centers, and the insulating member 25 is interposed between their respective peripheral edges. When the internal pressure of the battery increases due to abnormal heat generation, the lower valve body 24 deforms and breaks, pushing the upper valve body 26 toward the cap 27, thereby interrupting the current path between the lower valve body 24 and the upper valve body 26. When the internal pressure further increases, the upper valve body 26 breaks, and gas is discharged from the opening of the cap 27.

[0018] The end-of-charge voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 is preferably 4.3 V or higher. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 can achieve excellent cycle characteristics and thermal stability while increasing the end-of-charge voltage and increasing the battery capacity. The upper limit of the end-of-charge voltage is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 4.8 V.

[0019] The positive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12, the separator 13, and the nonaqueous electrolyte that constitute the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 will be described in detail below.

[0020] [Positive Electrode] The positive electrode 11 has a positive electrode core and a positive electrode mixture layer provided on the positive electrode core. The positive electrode core can be a foil of a metal, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, that is stable within the potential range of the positive electrode 11, or a film with such a metal disposed on the surface. The positive electrode mixture layer contains a positive electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive agent, and is preferably provided on both sides of the positive electrode core. The positive electrode 11 can be produced, for example, by applying a slurry of a positive electrode mixture containing a positive electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive agent onto the positive electrode core, drying the coating, and then compressing it to form a positive electrode mixture layer on both sides of the positive electrode core.

[0021] The positive electrode active material is mainly composed of lithium cobalt composite oxide (hereinafter referred to as "LCO") having a layered crystal structure. The lithium cobalt composite oxide (hereinafter referred to as "LCO") constituting the main component of the positive electrode active material has the general formula LiCo(1-w-x-y-z)Al ｗ Mg ｘ Ti ｙ Mn ｚ O ２ (wherein, 0.010≦w≦0.013, 0.003≦x≦0.006, 0.0004≦y≦0.0006, 0≦z≦0.0015). LCO is a composite oxide in which predetermined amounts of Al, Mg, and Ti are added to a composite oxide containing Li and Co as metal elements. The content of Co in LCO is, for example, 97.8 mol % or more based on the total number of moles of elements excluding Li and O. Mn is an optional component, but by adding Mn, the effect of improving cycle characteristics becomes more pronounced.

[0022] In this specification, the term "main component of the positive electrode active material" refers to the component with the highest mass ratio among the materials constituting the positive electrode active material. The content of LCO is preferably 60 mass% or more, more preferably 70 mass% or more, of the mass of the positive electrode active material. The positive electrode active material may be substantially composed of LCO represented by the above general formula. The composition of the positive electrode active material can be measured using an ICP optical emission spectrometer (iCAP6300, manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific).

[0023] The positive electrode mixture layer may contain, as a positive electrode active material, a lithium-containing composite oxide other than LCO represented by the above general formula, as long as the object of the present disclosure is not impaired. An example of the other lithium-containing composite oxide is a lithium cobalt composite oxide that does not substantially contain Al, Mg, or Ti, and has the general formula LiCoO ２ Furthermore, a composite oxide other than the lithium-cobalt composite oxide may be used as long as it does not impair the object of the present disclosure.

[0024] As described above, LCO has a layered crystal structure. Specific examples include a layered structure belonging to the space group R-3m, or a layered structure belonging to the space group C2 / m. The addition of Al, Mg, and Ti, especially Al and Mg, is thought to significantly contribute to the stabilization of this crystal structure. The crystal structure of the composite oxide can be measured using a powder X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku Corporation, RINT2200, Cu-Kα source).

[0025] The volume-based median diameter (D50) of LCO is, for example, 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and more preferably 15 μm or more and 30 μm or less. LCO is, for example, a secondary particle formed by aggregation of primary particles, and the D50 of LCO means the D50 of the secondary particle. D50 means the particle size at which the cumulative frequency in the volume-based particle size distribution is 50% from the smallest particle size. The particle size distribution of the complex oxide can be measured using a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring device (e.g., MT3000II manufactured by Microtrac-Bell Co., Ltd.) using water as a dispersion medium.

[0026] The Al content in LCO is 1.0 mol% or more and 1.3 mol% or less, more preferably 1.0 mol% or more and 1.2 mol% or less, based on the total number of moles of elements excluding Li and O. If the amount of Al added is within this range, the stability of the crystal structure is improved, and the cycle characteristics and thermal stability of the battery are improved. If the amount of Al added is less than 1.0 mol% or more than 1.3 mol%, the improvement effect of cycle characteristics, etc. is not obtained, and the capacity decrease is also significant. Note that even if the amount of Al added is within the above range, if Mg and Ti are not added, the above improvement effect is not obtained.

[0027] The Mg content in the LCO is 0.3 mol % or more and 0.6 mol % or less, based on the total number of moles of elements excluding Li and O. If the amount of Mg added is within this range, the stability of the crystal structure is improved, and the cycle characteristics and thermal stability are improved. If the amount of Mg added is less than 0.3 mol % or more than 0.6 mol %, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics and the like cannot be obtained, and if the amount of Mg added is too large, the capacity also decreases significantly.

[0028] The Ti content in the LCO is 0.04 mol % or more and 0.06 mol % or less, based on the total number of moles of elements excluding Li and O. If the amount of Ti added is within this range, it is thought that the material resistance can be reduced, and in particular, the cycle characteristics are improved. If the amount of Ti added is less than 0.04 mol % or more than 0.06 mol %, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics, etc. cannot be obtained, and if the amount of Ti added is too large, the capacity decrease becomes significant.

[0029] LCO further contains Mn, and the Mn content (z) in the general formula is preferably 0.0004≦z≦0.0015, and more preferably 0.0010≦z≦0.0015. In particular, it is believed that material resistance can be effectively reduced if the amount of Mn added is 0.10 mol % or more and 0.15 mol % or less relative to the total number of moles of elements excluding Li and O. As a result, the battery's cycle characteristics and thermal stability are more significantly improved, and discharge characteristics in low-temperature environments are also improved. Note that if the amount of Mn added is too large, for example, cycle characteristics and the like may be degraded, and capacity loss may be significant.

[0030] LCO is produced, for example, through the following steps: (1) a first step of obtaining a composite hydroxide or composite oxide containing Co, Al, Mg, Ti, and Mn; (2) a second step of mixing the composite hydroxide or composite oxide with a lithium compound and firing the mixture; and (3) a third step of washing the fired product with water and drying it.

[0031] In the first step, for example, an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide is added dropwise to a solution of a metal salt containing Co, Al, Mg, Ti, and Mn while stirring the solution to adjust the pH to the alkaline side, thereby precipitating (co-precipitating) a composite hydroxide. Note that in the first step, for example, the composite hydroxide may be calcined at a temperature lower than that of the calcination in the second step.

[0032] In the second step, the composite hydroxide or composite oxide obtained in the first step is mixed with a lithium compound. An example of the lithium compound is Li ２ CO ３ , LiOH, Li ２ O ２ , Li ２ O, LiNO ３ , LiNO ２ , Li ２ SO ４ , LiOH·H ２ Examples of suitable firing materials include O, LiH, and LiF. The firing of the mixture in the second step is carried out, for example, under an oxygen stream at a temperature of 500° C. or higher and 900° C. or lower. The firing temperature is preferably 600° C. or higher and 800° C. or lower. The firing may be carried out in two or more stages with different firing conditions.

[0033] In the third step, the fired product is washed with water to remove impurities such as excess Li, and the washed fired product is dried. If necessary, the fired product is pulverized, classified, or the like, to adjust the D50 of the LCO to a desired range. The washed fired product may be dried in a vacuum or in the air. An example of the drying temperature is 150°C or higher and 250°C or lower.

[0034] As described above, the positive electrode mixture layer contains a binder and a conductive agent. Examples of binders contained in the positive electrode mixture layer include fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyimide, acrylic resin, and polyolefin. These resins may be used in combination with cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or its salts, and polyethylene oxide (PEO). The content of the binder is, for example, 0.5% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less relative to the mass of the positive electrode mixture layer.

[0035] Examples of conductive agents used in the positive electrode mixture layer include carbon black such as acetylene black and ketjen black, graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon nanofibers, graphene, metal fibers, metal powder, and conductive whiskers. One type of conductive agent may be used alone, or multiple types may be used in combination. The content of the conductive agent is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less relative to the mass of the positive electrode mixture layer.

[0036] [Negative Electrode] The negative electrode 12 has a negative electrode core and a negative electrode mixture layer provided on the negative electrode core. The negative electrode core can be a foil of a metal, such as copper or a copper alloy, that is stable within the potential range of the negative electrode 12, or a film with such a metal disposed on the surface layer. The negative electrode mixture layer contains a negative electrode active material, a binder, and, if necessary, a conductive agent such as carbon nanotubes, and is preferably provided on both sides of the negative electrode core. The negative electrode 12 can be produced, for example, by applying a negative electrode mixture slurry containing a negative electrode active material and a binder to the negative electrode core, drying the coating, and then compressing it to form a negative electrode mixture layer on both sides of the negative electrode core.

[0037] The negative electrode mixture layer generally contains, as the negative electrode active material, a carbon material that reversibly absorbs and releases lithium ions. Suitable examples of the carbon material include natural graphite such as flake graphite, lump graphite, and amorphous graphite, and artificial graphite such as lump artificial graphite (MAG) and graphitized mesophase carbon microbeads (MCMB). Furthermore, as the negative electrode active material, an active material containing at least one of an element that alloys with Li, such as Si or Sn, and a material containing such an element may be used. A suitable example of the active material is SiO ２ The negative electrode active material may be a silicon-containing material in which silicon particles are dispersed in a silicon phase, a silicate phase such as lithium silicate, or an amorphous carbon phase. Graphite and a silicon-containing material may be used in combination as the negative electrode active material.

[0038] As in the case of the positive electrode 11, the binder contained in the negative electrode mixture layer can be a fluororesin, PAN, polyimide, acrylic resin, polyolefin, or the like, but it is preferable to use styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The negative electrode mixture layer preferably further contains CMC or a salt thereof, polyacrylic acid (PAA) or a salt thereof, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or the like. Among these, it is preferable to use SBR in combination with CMC or a salt thereof, or PAA or a salt thereof.

[0039] [Separator] A porous sheet having ion permeability and insulating properties is used for the separator 13. Specific examples of the porous sheet include a microporous thin film, a woven fabric, and a nonwoven fabric. Suitable materials for the separator 13 include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and cellulose. The separator 13 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Furthermore, a highly heat-resistant resin layer such as an aramid resin may be formed on the surface of the separator 13.

[0040] A filler layer containing an inorganic filler may be formed at the interface between the separator 13 and at least one of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. Examples of inorganic fillers include oxides and phosphate compounds containing metal elements such as Ti, Al, Si, and Mg. The filler layer can be formed by applying a slurry containing the filler to the surface of the positive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12, or the separator 13.

[0041] [Non-aqueous Electrolyte] The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent. Examples of the non-aqueous solvent that can be used include ethers, esters, nitriles such as acetonitrile, amides such as dimethylformamide, and mixed solvents of two or more of these. The non-aqueous solvent may contain a halogen-substituted compound in which at least a portion of the hydrogen atoms in these solvents are substituted with halogen atoms such as fluorine. Examples of the halogen-substituted compound include fluorinated cyclic carbonates such as fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), fluorinated chain carbonates, and fluorinated chain carboxylic acid esters such as methyl fluoropropionate (FMP). The non-aqueous electrolyte is not limited to a liquid electrolyte, but may also be a solid electrolyte.

[0042] Examples of ethers include 1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, 1,3-dioxane, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3,5-trioxane, furan, 2-methylfuran, 1,8-cineole, cyclic ethers such as crown ethers, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dibutyl ether, dihexyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, and methyl phenyl ether. , ethyl phenyl ether, butyl phenyl ether, pentyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, benzyl ethyl ether, diphenyl ether, dibenzyl ether, o-dimethoxybenzene, 1,2-diethoxyethane, 1,2-dibutoxyethane, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, 1,1-dimethoxymethane, 1,1-diethoxyethane, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether.

[0043] Examples of esters include cyclic carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and butylene carbonate; chain carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate, and methyl isopropyl carbonate; cyclic carboxylic acid esters such as γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and γ-valerolactone (GVL); and chain carboxylic acid esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate (PA), methyl propionate (MP), ethyl propionate (EP), and propyl propionate (PP).

[0044] The non-aqueous electrolyte further contains a cyclic sulfonate ester. As a result of studies by the present inventors, it has been found that by using the cyclic sulfonate ester together with the above-mentioned positive electrode active material, it is possible to achieve excellent cycle characteristics while maintaining good output characteristics, even when the end-of-charge voltage of the battery is increased. It is believed that the cyclic sulfonate ester forms a high-quality protective coating on the particle surfaces of the positive electrode active material, thereby suppressing decomposition of the electrolyte.

[0045] The non-aqueous electrolyte may contain additives such as vinylene carbonate (VC), ethylene sulfite (ES), cyclohexylbenzene (CHB), ortho-terphenyl (OTP) in addition to the cyclic sulfonic acid ester.

[0046] Cyclic sulfonate esters are also called sultones. The cyclic sulfonate ester may be, for example, an unsaturated sultone having a five-, six-, or seven-membered ring structure containing S and O and having a carbon-carbon double bond within the ring. Furthermore, the cyclic sulfonate ester may have a substituent such as a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, or an ester group introduced therein. When a hydrocarbon group is contained, the hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

[0047] Examples of cyclic sulfonate esters include 1,3-propane sultone, 1,4-butane sultone, 1,5-pentane sultone, 2-fluoro-1,3-propane sultone, 2-fluoro-1,4-butane sultone, 2-fluoro-1,5-pentane sultone, 1,3-propene sultone, 1,4-butene sultone, 1,5-pentene sultone, 2-fluoro-1,3-propene sultone, 2-fluoro-1,4-butene sultone, 2-fluoro-1,5-pentene sultone, etc. Of these, it is preferable to use 1,3-propane sultone.

[0048] The cyclic sulfonate ester is present in an amount of 3% by mass or more relative to the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte. If the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is less than 3% by mass, the effect of improving cycle characteristics cannot be obtained. The content of the cyclic sulfonate ester in the non-aqueous electrolyte is determined, for example, by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The upper limit of the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is, for example, 7% by mass. Even if the cyclic sulfonate ester is added in an amount exceeding 7% by mass, the effect of improving cycle characteristics is small, and the resistance increases, resulting in a decrease in output characteristics.

[0049] The content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is preferably 3% by mass or more and 7% by mass or less, and more preferably 4% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less, relative to the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte. When the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is within this range, good output characteristics can be ensured while cycle characteristics can be improved more efficiently.

[0050] The electrolyte salt is preferably a lithium salt. The concentration of the lithium salt is, for example, 0.5 mol or more and 3 mol or less, and preferably 0.8 mol or more and 1.5 mol or less, per 1 L of the non-aqueous solvent. One type of lithium salt may be used alone, or multiple types may be used in combination.

[0051] An example of a lithium salt is LiBF ４ , LiClO ４ , LiPF ６ , LiAsF ６ , LiSbF ６ , LiAlCl ４ , LiSCN, LiCF ３ SO ３ , LiCF ３ CO ２ , Li(P(C ２ O ４ ) F ４ ), LiPF ６－ｘ (CnF ２ｎ＋１ ) ｘ (1<x<6, n is 1 or 2), LiB １０ Cl １０ , LiCl, LiBr, LiI, lithium chloroborane, lithium lower aliphatic carboxylate, Li[B(C ２ O ４ )２ ], Li ２ B ４ O ７ , Li(B(C ２ O ４ ) F ２ ), lithium bisfluorosulfonylimide (LiN(FSO ２ ) ２ ), lithium bistrifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (LiN(CF ３ SO ２ ) ２ ), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate nonafluorobutanesulfonate imide (LiN(CF ３ SO ２ ) (C ４ F ９ SO ２ )), lithium bispentafluoroethanesulfonyl imide (LiN(C ２ F ５ SO ２ ) ２ ), LiN(C １ F ２ｌ＋１ SO ２ ) (C ｍ F ２ｍ＋１ SO ２ ) {l and m are integers of 0 or more}. Among them, LiPF ６ is preferred.

[0052] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0053] Example 1 Synthesis of Positive Electrode Active Material A composite hydroxide containing Co, Al, Mg, and Ti obtained by coprecipitation was mixed with lithium hydroxide so that the molar ratio of the total amount of metal elements to Li was 1.0:1.03. The mixture was fired at 850°C for 20 hours under an oxygen stream. The fired product was then washed with water and vacuum dried at 180°C for 2 hours to obtain a lithium-cobalt composite oxide having a layered crystal structure, containing predetermined amounts of Al, Mg, Ti, and Mn, and having a D50 of approximately 26 μm. In Example 1, the lithium-cobalt composite oxide was used as the positive electrode active material. The composition of the positive electrode active material was determined by ICP to be LiCo ０．９８３６ Al ０．０１０Mg ０．００６ Ti ０．０００４ O ２ Table 1 shows the amounts (mol %) of metal elements other than Li and Co added.

[0054] [Preparation of Positive Electrode] The positive electrode active material, carbon black, and polyvinylidene fluoride were mixed in a solids mass ratio of 97.6:1.2:1.2, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as a dispersion medium to prepare a positive electrode mixture slurry. Next, the positive electrode mixture slurry was applied to a positive electrode core made of aluminum foil, the coating was dried and compressed, and then the positive electrode core was cut to a predetermined electrode size to obtain a positive electrode with a positive electrode mixture layer formed on both sides of the positive electrode core. An aluminum lead was welded to the exposed portion of the positive electrode core.

[0055] [Preparation of Negative Electrode] Graphite was used as the negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material, the sodium salt of CMC, and the dispersion of SBR were mixed in a solid mass ratio of 97.8:1.2:1.2, and water was used as the dispersion medium to prepare a negative electrode mixture slurry. Next, the negative electrode mixture slurry was applied to a negative electrode core made of copper foil, and the coating was dried and rolled. The negative electrode core was then cut to a predetermined electrode size to obtain a negative electrode having a negative electrode mixture layer formed on both sides of the negative electrode core. A nickel lead was welded to the exposed portion of the negative electrode core.

[0056] [Preparation of non-aqueous electrolyte] LiPF 6 was added to a solvent prepared by mixing ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) in a volume ratio of 30:70 (at 25°C). ６ was dissolved in a concentration of 1.2 mol / L, and 1,3-propane sultone as a cyclic sulfonate ester was added thereto so as to have a concentration of 5 mass % to prepare a non-aqueous electrolyte.

[0057] [Fabrication of Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery] The positive electrode and the negative electrode were spirally wound with a separator interposed therebetween, and the wound body was then pressed flat to obtain an electrode assembly. A laminate sheet was processed to form an outer casing, and the electrode assembly and non-aqueous electrolyte were housed inside the outer casing in an inert atmosphere. The pressure inside the outer casing was then reduced to impregnate the separator with the electrolyte solution. The opening of the outer casing was sealed to produce a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery measuring 69 mm in length, 56 mm in width, and 4.9 mm in thickness, with a rated capacity of 3150 mAh.

[0058] Example 2 A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of cyclic sulfonic acid ester added was changed to 3 mass %.

[0059] Examples 3 to 7: As the positive electrode active material, a composition shown in Table 1 (LiCo ０．９８２１ Al ０．０１０ Mg ０．００６ Ti ０．０００４ Mn ０．００１５ O ２ ) was used, and the amount of the cyclic sulfonate ester added was changed to the amount shown in Table 1. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0060] Comparative Example 1 A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the cyclic sulfonic acid ester was not added to the non-aqueous electrolyte.

[0061] Comparative Example 2: As a positive electrode active material, a cathode active material having the composition shown in Table 1 (LiCoO ２ A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the lithium-cobalt composite oxide of Example 1 was used.

[0062] Comparative Example 3: As a positive electrode active material, a cathode active material having the composition shown in Table 1 (LiCoO ２ A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the lithium-cobalt composite oxide of Example 1 was used.

[0063] Comparative Example 4: As a positive electrode active material, a composition shown in Table 1 (LiCoO ２ A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery was fabricated in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that the lithium-cobalt composite oxide of

[0064] The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries of the Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated for cycle characteristics and discharge load characteristics under the following conditions. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1, along with the composition of the positive electrode active material and the amount of cyclic sulfonic acid ester added.

[0065] [Evaluation of Cycle Characteristics] Each of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries of the above experimental examples was charged at a constant current of 0.7 C in a temperature environment of 23° C. until the battery voltage reached 4.45 V, and then constant voltage charged at 4.45 V until the current value reached 1 / 50 C. Thereafter, the battery was discharged at a constant current of 0.5 C until the battery voltage reached 3.0 V. This charge / discharge cycle was repeated, and the number of cycles at which the capacity decreased to 80% of the initial capacity was determined.

[0066] [Evaluation of Discharge Load Characteristics] Each of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries of the Examples and Comparative Examples was charged at a constant current of 0.7 C in a temperature environment of 23° C. until the battery voltage reached 4.45 V, and then constant voltage charged at 4.45 V until the current value reached 1 / 50 C. Thereafter, the batteries were discharged at constant currents of 0.2 C and 3.0 C until the battery voltage reached 3.0 V, and the discharge load characteristics were calculated based on the following formula: Load characteristic = (discharge capacity at 3.0 C / discharge capacity at 0.2 C) × 100

[0067]

[0068] As shown in Table 1, the batteries of the Examples have a higher capacity retention rate in the cycle test and are superior in cycle characteristics compared to the batteries of the Comparative Examples. In addition, the batteries of the Examples have good load characteristics (output characteristics).

[0069] In particular, when the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is 4 mass% or more of the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte, the effect of improving the cycle characteristics is more pronounced. However, when the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is 7 mass%, a deterioration in load characteristics is observed. Therefore, the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is preferably 6 mass% or less.

[0070] The present disclosure will be further described by the following embodiments. Configuration 1: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode has a positive electrode core and a positive electrode mixture layer provided on the positive electrode core, the positive electrode mixture layer includes a positive electrode active material mainly composed of a lithium-cobalt composite oxide having a layered crystal structure, and the lithium-cobalt composite oxide is represented by the general formula LiCo(1-w-x-y-z)Al ｗ Mg ｘ Ti ｙ Mn ｚ O ２ (wherein 0.010≦w≦0.013, 0.003≦x≦0.006, 0.0004≦y≦0.0006, 0≦z≦0.0015), and containing 3 mass% or more of a cyclic sulfonate ester relative to the mass of the nonaqueous electrolyte. Configuration 2: The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to Configuration 1, wherein the cyclic sulfonate ester is 1,3-propane sultone. Configuration 3: The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the content of the cyclic sulfonate ester is 4 mass% or more and 6 mass% or less relative to the mass of the nonaqueous electrolyte. Configuration 4: The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the lithium-cobalt composite oxide contains Mn, and the content (z) of Mn in the general formula satisfies 0.0010≦z≦0.0015.

[0071] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, 11 Positive electrode, 12 Negative electrode, 13 Separator, 14 Electrode body, 16 Outer can, 17 Sealing body, 18, 19 Insulating plate, 20 Positive electrode lead, 21 Negative electrode lead, 22 Grooved portion, 23 Internal terminal plate, 24 Lower valve body, 25 Insulating member, 26 Upper valve body, 27 Cap, 28 Gasket

Claims

1. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode has a positive electrode core and a positive electrode mixture layer provided on the positive electrode core, the positive electrode mixture layer contains a positive electrode active material mainly composed of a lithium cobalt composite oxide having a layered crystal structure, and the lithium cobalt composite oxide is a composite oxide represented by the general formula LiCo(1−w−x−y−z)Al ｗ Mg ｘ Ti ｙ Mn ｚ O ２ (wherein 0.010 ≤ w ≤ 0.013, 0.003 ≤ x ≤ 0.006, 0.0004 ≤ y ≤ 0.0006, 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.0015), and the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery contains a cyclic sulfonic acid ester in an amount of 3% by mass or more based on the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte.

2. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the cyclic sulfonic acid ester is 1,3-propanesultone.

3. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the content of the cyclic sulfonic acid ester is 4% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less based on the mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte.

4. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lithium cobalt composite oxide contains Mn, and the content (z) of Mn in the general formula is 0.0010 ≦ z ≦ 0.0015.

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