Cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell

Abstract

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell according to one form of the present disclosure comprises: an exterior can with a cylindrical shape and having a bottom section at one end and an opening at the other end; an electrode body and a nonaqueous electrolyte accommodated in a body section of the exterior can; and a sealing body that closes up the opening via a gasket. A groove section where the diameter of the exterior can is smaller than that of the body section is formed between the opening and the body section, and a functional layer having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte solution is disposed in at least a part of an area comprising the groove inlet and the opening on the inner surface of the exterior can.

Description

Cylindrical non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cylindrical non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and more particularly to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with improved reliability.

[0002] A cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery contains an electrode assembly and a nonaqueous electrolyte in a cylindrical outer can with a bottom, and a sealing member is crimped and fixed between the grooved portion and the open end of the outer can via a gasket, thereby sealing the interior. Patent Document 1 describes that hydrofluoric acid may be generated by a reaction between water and the nonaqueous electrolyte remaining during battery manufacturing. Hydrofluoric acid may chemically react with the outer can, potentially reducing the stability of the quality of the outer can. Patent Document 1 also discloses a technology for solving the above problem, in which a basic compound is present as a neutralizing agent on the inner surface of the opening.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 080175

[0004] The invention described in Patent Document 1 neutralizes the generated hydrofluoric acid to suppress the corrosive effect of hydrofluoric acid on the outer can, but in order to further improve the stability of the quality of the outer can, it is preferable to suppress the generation of acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid. After extensive research, the inventors have found that the stability of the quality of the outer can can be improved by suppressing the generation of acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid near the open end of the outer can.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a secondary battery with improved stability of the quality of the outer can.

[0006] A cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical outer can having a bottom at one end and an opening at the other end, an electrode assembly and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution housed in a body of the outer can, and a sealing body that closes the opening via a gasket, wherein a grooved portion is formed between the opening and the body, and the outer can has a diameter smaller than that of the body, and a functional layer that has a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte solution is disposed in at least a portion of a region on the inner surface of the outer can that is defined by the grooved portion and the opening.

[0007] The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present disclosure improves the reliability of the battery.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of an opening and a grooved portion of an outer can in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 in another embodiment. Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 in another embodiment. Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 in another embodiment. Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 in another embodiment. Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 in another embodiment.

[0009] An example of an embodiment of a cylindrical secondary battery according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, etc. are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the cylindrical secondary battery. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments and variations are included in the following description, it is assumed from the outset that the characteristic features of these embodiments and variations can be appropriately combined and used.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a secondary battery 10 according to an embodiment. In the secondary battery 10 shown in Fig. 1, an electrode assembly 14 and a nonaqueous electrolyte (not shown) are housed in an outer can 15. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given with the sealing body 16 side referred to as "top" and the bottom side of the outer can 15 referred to as "bottom."

[0011] The electrode assembly 14 has a wound structure in which a positive electrode 11 and a negative electrode 12 are wound with a separator 13 interposed therebetween. The positive electrode 11 has a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and positive electrode mixture layers formed on both sides of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector may be, for example, a foil of a metal such as aluminum, or a film with the metal disposed on its surface.

[0012] The positive electrode mixture layer is produced by applying a positive electrode mixture slurry containing, for example, a positive electrode active material, a conductive agent, a binder, and a solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) to both sides of a positive electrode current collector, followed by drying and compression. Examples of the positive electrode active material include lithium transition metal composite oxides containing transition metal elements such as Co, Mn, and Ni. Examples of the conductive agent include carbon materials such as carbon black (CB), acetylene black (AB), ketjen black, and graphite. Examples of the binder include fluorine-based resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyimide (PI), acrylic resins, and polyolefin resins.

[0013] The negative electrode 12 includes a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixture layer formed on both sides of the negative electrode current collector. Examples of the negative electrode current collector include a foil of a metal such as copper, and a film having such a metal disposed on its surface.

[0014] The negative electrode mixture layer is produced, for example, by applying a negative electrode mixture slurry containing a negative electrode active material, a binder, water, etc. to both sides of a negative electrode current collector, followed by drying and compression. Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon materials such as natural graphite and artificial graphite, metals that alloy with lithium such as Si and Sn, or alloys and oxides containing these. Examples of the binder include styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), CMC or a salt thereof, polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.

[0015] A porous sheet having ion permeability and insulating properties is used as the separator 13. Specific examples of the porous sheet include a microporous thin film, a woven fabric, and a nonwoven fabric. The separator is preferably made of an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0016] As the nonaqueous solvent (organic solvent) of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contained in the outer can 15, carbonates, lactones, ethers, ketones, esters, etc. can be used, and two or more of these solvents can be mixed and used. When two or more solvents are mixed and used, it is preferable to use a mixed solvent containing a cyclic carbonate and a chain carbonate. For example, ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), etc. can be used as the cyclic carbonate, and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), etc. can be used as the chain carbonate. As the electrolyte salt of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution, LiPF ６ , LiBF ４ , LiCF ３ SO ３ The amount of electrolyte salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent can be, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 mol / L.

[0017] The opening of the outer can 15 is closed with the sealing body 16, thereby sealing the interior of the secondary battery 10. Insulating plates 17, 18 are provided above and below the electrode body 14. The positive electrode lead 19 extends upward through a through hole in the insulating plate 17 and is welded to the underside of a filter 22, which is the bottom plate of the sealing body 16. In the secondary battery 10, a cap 26, which is the top plate of the sealing body 16 and is electrically connected to the filter 22, serves as the positive electrode terminal. On the other hand, the negative electrode lead 20 extends downward through a through hole in the insulating plate 18 and is welded to the inner surface of the bottom 15a of the outer can 15. In the secondary battery 10, the outer can 15 serves as the negative electrode terminal.

[0018] The outer can 15 is cylindrical and has a bottom 15a at one end and an opening 15b at the other end. The electrode assembly 14 and a non-aqueous electrolyte are accommodated in a body 15c of the outer can 15. A groove 15d is formed between the opening 15b and the body 15c, and the diameter of the outer can 15 is smaller than that of the body 15c.

[0019] The grooved portion 15d is a portion of the side surface of the outer can 15 recessed radially inward, and is provided in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the outer can 15. The grooved portion 15d supports the sealing body 16 on its upper surface. The grooved portion 15d can be formed, for example, by spinning a portion of the side surface of the outer can 15 radially inward to form an annular recess radially inward. The width (axial length) of the grooved portion 15d is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The depth (radial length) of the grooved portion 15d is also not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

[0020] Opening 15b is an area of ​​the side surface of outer can 15 above grooved portion 15d, and forms an opening of outer can 15. An upper end 15e of opening 15b is bent radially inward, and sealing body 16 is crimped and fixed to outer can 15 via gasket 27.

[0021] The sealing body 16 is a disc-shaped member equipped with a safety valve. The sealing body 16 has a structure in which, in order from the electrode body 14 side, a filter 22, a lower valve body 23, an insulating member 24, an upper valve body 25, and a cap 26 are stacked. Each component constituting the sealing body 16 has, for example, a disc or ring shape, and all components except for the insulating member 24 are electrically connected to each other. The lower valve body 23 and the upper valve body 25 are connected to each other at their respective centers, with the insulating member 24 interposed between their respective peripheral edges. If the internal pressure of the battery increases due to abnormal heat generation, for example, the lower valve body 23 breaks, causing the upper valve body 25 to swell toward the cap 26 and separate from the lower valve body 23, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between them. If the internal pressure further increases, the upper valve body 25 breaks, and gas is released through the opening 26a of the cap 26.

[0022] Gasket 27 is a flexible insulating member that electrically isolates sealing body 16, which is the positive electrode terminal, from outer can 15, which is the negative electrode terminal, while being compressed in the vertical direction to ensure the airtightness of the interior of outer can 15. The material of gasket 27 is not particularly limited as long as it is a compressible insulating material, and examples that can be used include polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethylene (PE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyamide (PA).

[0023] Next, the functional layer 30 provided above the grooved portion 15d of the secondary battery 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3A to Fig. 3E. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the opening 15b and the grooved portion 15d of the exterior can 15. Fig. 3A to Fig. 3E are views corresponding to Fig. 2 in another example of the embodiment.

[0024] LiPF as electrolyte salt ６ dissociates as shown in the following chemical formulas (1) and (2).

[0025] LiPF ６ When a non-aqueous electrolyte containing the above reacts with water, it reacts as shown in the following chemical formulas (3) to (6) to produce acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid.

[0026] A functional layer 30 having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte is disposed on at least a portion of the region defined by the grooved portion 15d and the opening 15b on the inner surface of the outer can 15. In other words, a functional layer 30 having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte is disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer can 15 above the boundary between the body portion 15c and the grooved portion 15d. This prevents the nonaqueous electrolyte remaining in the opening 15b during the injection process and the nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the body portion 15c from reaching the vicinity of the opening end 15f and reacting with water entering from outside the battery to generate acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid. Because the generation of acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid is likely to occur near the opening end 15f, the presence of the functional layer 30 improves the stability of the outer can quality and the reliability of the battery. The static contact angle refers to the contact angle at which a droplet of liquid stabilizes on a solid surface. The static contact angle can be measured using a commercially available contact angle meter. The static contact angle varies greatly depending on the surface condition, and tends to decrease particularly due to deterioration over time. In this specification, the static contact angle of the functional layer 30 being 90° or more means that the static contact angle of the functional layer 30 is 90° or more at the time of shipment from the factory.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , a functional layer 30 having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte is disposed over the entire area of ​​the inner surface of the outer can 15, which is defined by the grooved portion 15d and the opening 15b. This further improves the stability of the quality of the outer can. Nonaqueous electrolyte remaining in the opening 15b during the injection process, and nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the body portion 15c that has reached the opening 15b, may advance between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27 by capillary action and potentially reach the vicinity of the opening edge 15f. By disposing the functional layer 30 between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27, the nonaqueous electrolyte can be prevented from advancing between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27. Furthermore, by disposing the functional layer 30 on the inner surface of the grooved portion 15d that is not in contact with the gasket 27, the nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the body portion 15c can be prevented from reaching the opening 15b.

[0028] The functional layer 30 preferably has water repellency. This can prevent water from entering from outside the battery, thereby further suppressing the generation of acidic compounds such as hydrofluoric acid, and more significantly improving the reliability of the battery. Water repellency is the ability to repel water, and in this specification, having water repellency means that a water droplet has a static contact angle of 90° or more on the surface of a solid.

[0029] The functional layer 30 contains, for example, one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide and silicone resin. Among these, zinc oxide and silicone resin are particularly preferred. When both zinc oxide and silicone resin are contained in the functional layer 30, they exhibit water repellency while maintaining a static contact angle with a non-aqueous electrolyte of 90° or more. It is more preferred that the zinc oxide be a crystalline material having a tetrapod shape. By using zinc oxide having a tetrapod shape, the functional layer 30 exhibits the ability to repel non-aqueous electrolyte and water even when the zinc oxide content in the functional layer 30 is low. An example of zinc oxide having a tetrapod shape is Amtetra (registered trademark) from Amtec. Zinc oxide is a powder particle of an inorganic compound, which can have a larger specific surface area than organic compounds such as resins, making it preferable because it can easily exhibit its function. On the other hand, silicone resin is preferable because it precipitates less impurities than inorganic compounds. The content of the above compounds in the functional layer 30 is, for example, 10 ppm by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0030] The functional layer 30 may further include a sealant. Examples of sealants that can be used include conventionally used rubber polymers such as 1,2-polybutadiene, pitch, asphalt, etc. The term "the functional layer 30 includes a sealant" includes a state in which the functional layer 30 and the sealant are mixed together, and a state in which the functional layer 30 also serves as the sealant.

[0031] There are no particular limitations on the method for disposing the functional layer 30 on the inner surface of the battery. The functional layer 30 can be formed, for example, by applying a slurry containing zinc oxide, silicone resin, etc. to the inner surface of the outer can 15 and drying it. There are no particular limitations on the thickness of the functional layer 30, but it is, for example, 1 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.

[0032] The functional layer 30 shown in each of Figures 3A to 3E differs from the example shown in Figure 2 in terms of the position where it is arranged. Note that the functional layer 30 shown in each of Figures 3A to 3E may be the same as the example shown in Figure 2 in terms of the configuration other than the position where it is arranged.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 3A , the functional layer 30 is disposed between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27. This prevents the nonaqueous electrolyte from flowing between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27. The functional layer 30 may be disposed over the entire surface between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27, or may be disposed over at least a portion of the surface between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27. From the viewpoint of productivity, the functional layer 30 is preferably disposed near the boundary between the grooved portion 15 d and the opening 15 b. For example, the functional layer 30 may be disposed only on the upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d and the L-shaped portion at the lower end of the opening 15 b connected to the upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d (within the dotted-line frame E1 shown in FIG. 3A ). When the functional layer 30 contains an inorganic compound, it is preferable that the functional layer 30 not also function as the gasket 27 but be disposed independently of the gasket 27. This is because if the gasket 27 contains an inorganic compound, processability may be reduced during crimping.

[0034] 3B , the functional layer 30 is disposed at the tip of the grooved portion 15d. This prevents the nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the body portion 15c from reaching the opening 15b. Here, the tip of the grooved portion 15d refers to the curved portion of the grooved portion 15d near the portion that is most recessed radially inward. The functional layer 30 may be disposed over the entire tip of the grooved portion 15d, or may be disposed over a portion of the tip of the grooved portion 15d.

[0035] 3C , the functional layer 30 is disposed on the upper and lower portions of the grooved portion 15d. This prevents the nonaqueous electrolyte from progressing between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27, while preventing the nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the body portion 15c from reaching the opening 15b. Here, the upper portion of the grooved portion 15d refers to a substantially flat portion of the grooved portion 15d that faces the sealing body 16, and the lower portion of the grooved portion 15d refers to a substantially flat portion of the grooved portion 15d that faces the electrode body 14. The functional layer 30 may be disposed on the entire upper and lower portions of the grooved portion 15d, or may be disposed on only a portion of the upper and lower portions of the grooved portion 15d.

[0036] 3D , the functional layer 30 is disposed on the upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d and on the upper end 15 e of the opening 15 b. The sealing body 16 is crimped from above and below between the grooved portion 15 d and the upper end 15 e of the opening 15 b. Therefore, by disposing the functional layer 30 on the upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d and on the upper end 15 e of the opening 15 b, the nonaqueous electrolyte can be efficiently prevented from progressing between the outer can 15 and the gasket 27. The functional layer 30 may be disposed on the entire upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d and on the upper end 15 e of the opening 15 b, or may be disposed on a part of the upper portion of the grooved portion 15 d and on the upper end 15 e of the opening 15 b.

[0037] 3E , the functional layer 30 is further disposed between the sealing body 16 and the gasket 27. This prevents the nonaqueous electrolyte from progressing between the sealing body 16 and the gasket 27, thereby improving the stability of the quality of the sealing body 16. The functional layer 30 may be disposed over the entire area between the sealing body 16 and the gasket 27, or may be disposed over a portion of the area between the sealing body 16 and the gasket 27. From the viewpoint of productivity, the functional layer 30 is preferably disposed near the lower end of the outer periphery of the sealing body 16.

[0038] As described above, in the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present disclosure, a functional layer having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte solution is disposed in at least a part of the region on the inner surface of the outer can that is formed by the grooved portion and the opening, thereby improving the stability of the quality of the outer can and the reliability of the battery.

[0039] The present disclosure is further described by the following embodiments. Structure 1: A cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a cylindrical outer can having a bottom at one end and an opening at the other end; an electrode assembly and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution housed in a body of the outer can; and a sealing body that closes the opening via a gasket, wherein a grooved portion is formed between the opening and the body, and the outer can has a diameter smaller than that of the body, and a functional layer having a static contact angle of 90° or greater with the nonaqueous electrolyte solution is disposed in at least a portion of a region on the inner surface of the outer can that is defined by the grooved portion and the opening. Structure 2: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to Structure 1, wherein the functional layer is water-repellent. Structure 3: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to Structure 1, wherein the functional layer contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide and silicone resin. Structure 4: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Structures 1 to 3, wherein the functional layer further contains a sealant. Configuration 5: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional layer is disposed between the outer can and the gasket.Configuration 6: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional layer is disposed at the tip of the grooved portion.Configuration 7: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional layer is disposed at the top and bottom of the grooved portion.Configuration 8: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional layer is disposed at the top of the grooved portion and at the upper end of the opening.Configuration 9: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional layer is disposed at the top of the grooved portion and at the lower end of the opening connected to the top of the grooved portion.Configuration 10: The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, wherein the functional layer is further disposed between the sealing body and the gasket.

[0040] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 secondary battery, 11 positive electrode, 12 negative electrode, 13 separator, 14 electrode body, 15 outer can, 15a bottom, 15b opening, 15c body, 15d grooved portion, 15e upper end, 15f opening end, 16 sealing body, 17, 18 insulating plate, 19 positive electrode lead, 20 negative electrode lead, 22 filter, 23 lower valve body, 24 insulating member, 25 upper valve body, 26 cap, 26a opening hole, 27 gasket, 30 functional layer

Claims

1. A cylindrical non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a cylindrical outer can having a bottom at one end and an opening at the other end; an electrode assembly and non-aqueous electrolyte housed in a body of the outer can; and a sealing body that closes the opening via a gasket, wherein a grooved portion is formed between the opening and the body, and the diameter of the outer can is smaller than that of the body, and a functional layer that has a static contact angle of 90° or more with the non-aqueous electrolyte is disposed in at least a part of the area on the inner surface of the outer can formed by the grooved portion and the opening.

2. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer has water repellency.

3. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide and silicone resin.

4. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer further contains a sealant.

5. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is disposed between the outer can and the gasket.

6. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is disposed at the tip of the groove.

7. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layers are disposed above and below the grooved portion.

8. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is disposed on top of the groove and on the upper end of the opening.

9. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is disposed on an upper portion of the grooved portion and on a lower end of the opening that is connected to the upper portion of the grooved portion.

10. The cylindrical nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is further disposed between the sealing body and the gasket.

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