Polymer, electrode active substance, battery, flying vehicle, and method for producing polymer

Abstract

Provided is a polymer. The polymer may be obtained by polymerizing a first monomer. The first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1), derivatives thereof, and salts of these. In formula (1), X and Y may be at least one selected from among -R, -NH2, -NHR, -NR1R2, -NHCOR, -N=NR, a halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C=CR1R2, -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO2, -SO3R, -SO3M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R1R2 and -P(=O)(OR1)(OR2). M may be a monovalent metal ion. R, R1 and R2 may each be hydrogen or a straight chain or branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having three or fewer carbon atoms.

Description

Polymers, electrode active materials, batteries, aircraft, and methods for producing polymers

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode active material, a battery, an aircraft, and a method for manufacturing a battery.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a secondary battery using a polyquinone derivative as the electrode active material. Patent Document 2 discloses a battery using a fused quinone-modified crosslinked polymer, which is a reaction product of polyethyleneimine, a fused quinone compound, and a crosslinking agent containing an ethylene oxide chain, as the electrode active material. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a battery using an anthraquinone oligomer as the electrode active material. Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a supercapacitor using a material in which redox-active quinone molecules are embedded in an amorphous network polymer as the electrode active material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents] [Patent documents 1] JP2016-008227A [Patent document 2] JP2019-199520A [Non-patent documents] [Non-patent documents 1] Masaru Yao, Hikaru Sano, Hisanori Ando, ​​Tetsu Kiyobayashi and Nobuhiko Takeichi, "Anthraquinone-Based Oligomer as a Long Cycle-Life Organic Electrode Material for Use in Rechargeable Batteries", ChemPhysChem, Chemistry Europe, February 18, 2019, Vol. 20, No. 7, p. 967-971 [Non-patent Document 2] Jumpei Suzuki, Akira Ishizone, Kosuke Sato, Hiroaki Imai, Yu-Jen Tseng, Chi-How Peng and Yuya Oaki, “Amorphous flexible covalent organic networks containing redox-active moieties: a noncrystalline approach to the "assembly of functional molecules",Chemical Science, Royal Society of Chemistry, June 10, 2020, Vol. 11, No. 27, p. 70 General disclosure

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a polymer is provided. The polymer may be obtained by polymerizing a first monomer. The first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1), its derivatives, and salts thereof. In the formula (1), X and Y are -R, -NH ２ , -NHR, -NR １ R ２ , -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C≡CR １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ or -P(=O)(OR １ )(OR ２ ), and may be at least one selected therefrom. M may be a monovalent metal ion. R, R １ or R ２ may be hydrogen or a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having a straight-chain or branched structure with 3 or fewer carbon atoms.

[0004] In the above polymer, the first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1-1) or formula (1-2), its derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0005] In any of the above polymers, the polymer may be obtained by polymerizing the first monomer and a second monomer having a conjugated skeleton. The second monomer may be an organic compound having a conjugated skeleton or a salt thereof. The organic compound having a conjugated skeleton may be a quinone derivative or its reduced form, or an aromatic compound.

[0006] In any of the polymers described above, the number of sites in the conjugated skeleton that can react with the first monomer may be two or more. The organic compound having the conjugated skeleton may contain heteroatoms. The ratio of the number of heteroatoms to the number of carbon atoms in the organic compound having the conjugated skeleton may be between 1 and 8.

[0007] In any of the polymers described above, the first monomer and the second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1-1) or formula (1-2), their derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0008] In any of the polymers described above, the second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4), their derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0009] In any of the above polymers, the polymer may be obtained by homopolymerizing the first monomer, which is a compound represented by the following formula (1-1).

[0010] In any of the above polymers, the polymer may be obtained by homopolymerizing the first monomer which is a compound represented by the following formula (1-2).

[0011] In any of the polymers described above, the second monomer may be the compound represented by formula (2-1).

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, an electrode active material is provided. The electrode active material may include any polymer according to any aspect of the first aspect described above. The electrode active material may be a positive electrode active material.

[0013] A third embodiment of the present invention provides a battery. The battery may include electrodes. The electrodes may have any of the electrode active materials according to the second embodiment described above.

[0014] In the above-described battery, the electrode may include one or more selected from vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCF), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or acetylene black (AB), and graphene.

[0015] Any of the above batteries may further include an electrolyte or gel electrolyte containing a solvent.

[0016] A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides an aircraft. The aircraft may be equipped with any battery according to the third embodiment described above. The aircraft may be equipped with a thrust generating device that generates thrust using the electrical energy stored in the battery.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing a polymer. The method for producing a polymer may include a step of polymerizing a first monomer. The first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1), their derivatives, and salts thereof. In formula (1) above, X and Y are -R, -NH ２ -NHR, -NR １ R ２ -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C=CR １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ OR -P (=O) (OR １ ) ( OR ２ ) may be at least one selected from the above. The above M may be a monovalent metal ion. The above R, the above R １ or R ２ This may be hydrogen or a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having a straight or branched chain with three or fewer carbon atoms.

[0018] In the above polymer production method, the step of polymerizing the first monomer may include a step of copolymerizing the second monomer. The second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4), their derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0019] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention.

[0020] A schematic example of the system configuration of the aircraft 100 is shown. A schematic example of the energy storage cell 112 is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown. A schematic example of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrode is shown.

[0021] According to embodiments disclosed exemplary herein, the active material (sometimes referred to as electrode active material) used in a battery (particularly a secondary battery) includes a polymer obtained by homopolymerizing a first monomer, or a polymer obtained by copolymerizing a first monomer and a second monomer. Details of the first monomer and the second monomer will be described later.

[0022] In one embodiment, the battery comprises (i) a positive electrode, (ii) a negative electrode, (iii) a solution (sometimes referred to as an electrolyte) or gel (sometimes referred to as a gel electrolyte) containing a supporting electrolyte salt and a solvent, and (iv) a separator for preventing internal short circuits due to contact between the positive and negative electrodes. Examples of solvents include water and aprotic organic solvents. In another embodiment, the battery may comprise a solid electrolyte layer that functions as the separator, and may substantially not contain the electrolyte or gel electrolyte (sometimes referred to as an all-solid-state battery).

[0023] Generally, organic compounds that can be used as active materials in batteries (sometimes referred to as organic active materials) are lighter than inorganic compounds that can be used as active materials in batteries (sometimes referred to as inorganic active materials). Therefore, by using the polymer according to this embodiment as an active material in a battery, the energy density of the battery is improved. By using, for example, an organic molecule with a relatively small molecular weight and multi-electron transfer ability as the first monomer, the energy density of the battery can be greatly improved. In particular, the mass energy density [Wh / kg] of the battery can be greatly improved.

[0024] On the other hand, organic active materials generally have higher solubility in the solvents contained in the electrolyte or gel electrolyte compared to inorganic active materials. Therefore, it is difficult to produce batteries with a long lifespan using organic active materials. The polymer according to this embodiment is obtained by polymerizing the first monomer. The solubility of the polymer according to this embodiment in various solvents is lower than the solubility of the first monomer in various solvents. As a result, the polymer according to this embodiment has relatively low solubility in the solvents contained in the battery and can function as a charge storage material with high capacity and / or mass energy density.

[0025] Therefore, the inventors used machine learning to extract organic compounds that (i) form polymers and (ii) are predicted to have high performance as monomers alone. For (i), the condition was that the molecule has a π-electron conjugated system capable of undergoing a pericyclic reaction such as the Diels-Alder reaction or an aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction. For (ii), the volume and / or mass energy density when used as an organic active material was predicted by DFT calculations or Hansen solubility parameter calculations.

[0026] As a result, the inventors have found that the compound shown in the following formula (1) or a salt thereof has excellent properties as the above-mentioned first monomer. Specifically, the inventors have found a derivative of 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone having substituents X and Y at the 4 and 8 positions, respectively, wherein substituents X and Y are -R (hereinafter, R is hydrogen or a linear or branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having 3 or fewer carbon atoms) and -NH, respectively. ２ -NHR, -NR １ R ２ (Hereinafter, R １ and R ２ (wherein M is a monovalent metal ion) -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM (wherein M is a monovalent metal ion) １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ OR -P (=O) (OR １ ) ( OR ２ We found that a derivative selected from ) has excellent properties as the first monomer described above.

[0027] In this embodiment, the compound shown in formula (1) above or a salt thereof is used as the first monomer. As a result, the polymer obtained by polymerizing the first monomer can function as a charge storage material with a large capacity and / or mass energy density.

[0028] In this embodiment, the compound shown in formula (1) above or a salt thereof is used as the first monomer, and an organic compound having a conjugated skeleton or a salt thereof is used as the second monomer. The second monomer is used, for example, as a linker to connect a plurality of first monomers. As a result, a polymer containing a structure in which the first monomer is repeatedly polymerized in a segmented manner can be synthesized relatively easily. According to this embodiment, the second monomer has a conjugated skeleton. As a result, even if the polymer contains a structure in which the second monomer is repeatedly polymerized in a segmented manner, a decrease in the volume per unit mass of the polymer can be suppressed.

[0029] In addition, this embodiment provides an electrode active material containing the above-mentioned polymer, a battery having the electrode active material, and an aircraft equipped with the battery. This makes it possible to create an energy storage cell with a large capacity per unit mass of the active material [mAh / g - active material]. As a result, for example, an energy storage cell with an energy density of 350 [Wh / kg - energy storage cell] or more per unit mass can be provided. Furthermore, because the energy storage cell equipped with this embodiment has a high energy density per unit mass, it is particularly suitable for use in aircraft.

[0030] By using the polymer according to this embodiment as an electrode active material, the amount of energy per unit mass in a battery (particularly a rechargeable battery) can be improved, resulting in a lighter battery that can store more power. Such a battery could be used, for example, to supply energy to victims at disaster sites. This would contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 7, "Affordable and Clean Energy," or Goal 13, "Climate Action."

[0031] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0032] In this specification, when a numerical range is expressed as "A to B", it means A or greater and B or less. Furthermore, "substituted or unsubstituted" means "substituted with any substituent, or not substituted with any substituent." The types of substituents are not particularly limited unless otherwise specified in the specification. Furthermore, the number of substituents is not particularly limited unless otherwise specified in the specification.

[0033] (Outline of the aircraft 100) Figure 1 schematically shows an example of the system configuration of the aircraft 100. In this embodiment, the aircraft 100 comprises a storage battery 110, a power control circuit 120, one or more electric motors 130, one or more propellers 140, one or more sensors 150, and a control device 160. In this embodiment, the storage battery 110 has one or more energy storage cells 112.

[0034] In this embodiment, the flying object 100 flies using electrical energy stored in the battery 110. Examples of the flying object 100 include airplanes, airships, balloons, helicopters, and drones.

[0035] In this embodiment, the battery 110 receives electrical energy from an external charging device (not shown) via a power control circuit 120 and stores the electrical energy in one or more energy storage cells 112. The battery 110 also supplies the electrical energy stored in one or more energy storage cells 112 to the electric motor 130 via the power control circuit 120.

[0036] In this embodiment, the energy storage cell 112 stores electrical energy (sometimes referred to as charging the energy storage cell 112). The energy storage cell 112 also releases the stored electrical energy (sometimes referred to as discharging the energy storage cell 112). The energy storage cell 112 may be a secondary battery.

[0037] In one embodiment, the energy storage cell 112 includes an electrolyte and / or a gel electrolyte. In other embodiments, the energy storage cell 112 is substantially free of an electrolyte and / or a gel electrolyte. The statement that the energy storage cell 112 is substantially free of an electrolyte or gel electrolyte includes embodiments in which the energy storage cell 112 does not contain an electrolyte or gel electrolyte, and embodiments in which the energy storage cell 112 contains a small amount of electrolyte or gel electrolyte. The energy storage cell 112 may be an all-solid-state battery.

[0038] Examples of carrier ions in secondary batteries include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Examples of secondary batteries include sodium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-metal secondary batteries, lithium-air secondary batteries, lithium-sulfur secondary batteries, and magnesium-ion secondary batteries.

[0039] For example, for secondary batteries mounted in vehicles, materials that can store a large amount of charge per unit volume are often selected as the active material. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the energy storage cell 112 is mounted on the aircraft 100. Therefore, it is preferable that the active material used in the energy storage cell 112 is a material that can store a large amount of charge per unit mass.

[0040] The mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 is preferably 350 [Wh / kg-energy storage cell] or more, more preferably 400 Wh / kg-energy storage cell] or more, more preferably 500 Wh / kg-energy storage cell] or more, more preferably 600 Wh / kg-energy storage cell] or more, and even more preferably 700 [Wh / g-energy storage cell] or more. This provides an energy storage cell that is particularly suitable for use as a power source for aircraft.

[0041] The volumetric energy density of the energy storage cell 112 is 300 [Wh / m³]. ３ - Energy storage cell: 1200 [Wh / m³] or more ３ - Energy storage cell] may be less than or equal to 400 [Wh / m³]. ３ - Energy storage cell: 1000 [Wh / m³] or more ３- Energy storage cell] may be less than or equal to 600 [Wh / m³]. When the energy storage cell 112 is mounted on the aircraft 100 as part of the power supply for the aircraft 100, the volumetric energy density of the energy storage cell 112 is 600 [Wh / m³]. ３ - Energy storage cell] may be less than or equal to 800 [Wh / m³]. ３ - Energy storage cell] The following may also be used.

[0042] The energy storage cell 112 may have a mass energy density and a volume energy density within the above numerical range. This makes it possible to use energy storage cells that are relatively difficult to use as power sources for vehicles as power sources for aircraft. Details of the energy storage cell 112 will be described later.

[0043] In this embodiment, the power control circuit 120 controls the power input and output of the battery 110. The power control circuit 120 may control the power input and output of the battery 110 based on commands from the control device 160. The power control circuit 120 includes, for example, a plurality of switching elements that operate based on control signals from the control device 160.

[0044] In this embodiment, the electric motor 130 receives electrical energy from the battery 110 via the power control circuit 120. The electric motor 130 uses the electrical energy received from the battery 110 to rotate the propeller 140. As a result, the electric motor 130 can use the electrical energy stored in the energy storage cell 112 to generate thrust for the aircraft 100.

[0045] In this embodiment, the sensor 150 measures various physical quantities related to the position and attitude of the aircraft 100. Examples of sensors for measuring various physical quantities related to the position and attitude of the aircraft 100 include a GPS signal receiver, an accelerometer, an angular acceleration sensor, and a gyroscope. The sensor 150 may also measure various physical quantities related to the state of the battery 110. Examples of sensors for measuring various physical quantities related to the state of the battery 110 include a temperature sensor, a current sensor, and a voltage sensor.

[0046] In this embodiment, the control device 160 controls the aircraft 100. The control device 160 may control the input and output of power from the battery 110 by controlling the power control circuit 120. For example, the control device 160 controls the output current, output voltage, input current, input voltage, etc., of the battery 110. As a result, the control device 160 can control the position and attitude of the aircraft 100. The control device 160 may control the position and attitude of the aircraft 100 by controlling the power control circuit 120 based on the output from the sensor 150.

[0047] The storage battery 110 may be an example of a secondary battery. The energy storage cell 112 may be an example of a secondary battery. The electric motor 130 may be an example of a thrust generating device. The secondary battery may be an example of a battery.

[0048] (Overview of Energy Storage Cell 112) Figure 2 schematically shows an example of an energy storage cell 112. In this embodiment, the details of the energy storage cell 112 will be explained using the case where the energy storage cell 112 is a coin-type all-solid-state secondary battery as an example. However, it should be noted that the energy storage cell 112 is not limited to a coin-type all-solid-state secondary battery.

[0049] (Energy Storage Cell) In this embodiment, the energy storage cell 112 comprises a positive electrode case 212, a negative electrode case 214, a sealant 216, and a metal spring 218. The energy storage cell 112 also comprises a positive electrode 220, a separator 230, a negative electrode 240, and an electrolyte 250. In this embodiment, the positive electrode 220 has a positive electrode current collector 222 and a positive electrode active material layer 224. In this embodiment, the negative electrode 240 has a negative electrode current collector 242 and a negative electrode active material layer 244.

[0050] In this embodiment, a space is formed inside the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214 by assembling the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214. Inside the space formed by the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214, a metal spring 218, a positive electrode 220, a separator 230, a negative electrode 240, and an electrolyte 250 are housed. The positive electrode 220, the separator 230, and the negative electrode 240 are fixed inside the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214 by the repulsive force of the metal spring 218.

[0051] The positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214 are made of a conductive material having, for example, a disc-shaped thin plate form. In this embodiment, the sealant 216 seals the gap formed between the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214. The sealant 216 includes an insulating material. The sealant 216 insulates the positive electrode case 212 and the negative electrode case 214.

[0052] (Positive electrode) In this embodiment, the positive electrode current collector 222 holds the positive electrode active material layer 224. Examples of materials for the positive electrode current collector 222 include aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof.

[0053] (Positive electrode current collector) At least a portion of the positive electrode current collector 222 may be made of resin. This can reduce the weight of the energy storage cell 112. In particular, when a separator 230 mainly composed of a solid electrolyte is used, the mass of the separator 230 may be relatively large depending on the type of solid electrolyte. Even in such cases, by making at least a portion of the positive electrode current collector 222 of resin, the increase in the overall mass of the energy storage cell 112 is suppressed. As a result, the capacity per unit mass of the energy storage cell 112 and the energy density of the energy storage cell 112 are improved.

[0054] In one embodiment, the positive electrode current collector 222 includes a resin material and a conductive material. For example, the positive electrode current collector 222 has a resin sheet and a conductive layer disposed on at least one side of the resin sheet. The conductive layer may be disposed on both sides of the resin sheet. The conductive layer may be a thin metal film. Examples of materials for the thin metal film include gold, silver, copper, lead, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof. Considering conductivity and specific gravity, the material for the thin metal film may be copper, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof.

[0055] The resin sheet described above may have multiple through-holes. The size of the through-holes may be 15 to 150 μm in equivalent circular diameter. Examples of resin sheet materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyimide. The thickness of the resin sheet is not particularly limited; it just needs to be thick enough to prevent damage to the conductive layer. The thickness of the resin sheet may be 20 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less.

[0056] The thickness of the conductive layer may be 20 μm or less per side, 5 μm or less per side, or 1 μm or less per side. The thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.5 μm or less per side. The lower limit of the thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.05 μm or 0.1 μm per side.

[0057] When the thickness of the conductive layer is 20 μm or less per side, the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 improves. When the thickness of the conductive layer is 1 μm or less per side, the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 improves significantly. On the other hand, when the thickness of the conductive layer is less than 0.1 μm per side, the conductive layer becomes easily damaged. However, according to this embodiment, the conductive layer is supported by a resin sheet. Therefore, even when the thickness of the conductive layer is about 0.1 μm per side, damage to the conductive layer is suppressed.

[0058] The thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less, or 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less. When the thickness of the conductive layer falls within the above numerical range, a high level of improvement in the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 and suppression of damage to the conductive layer can be achieved.

[0059] In other embodiments, the positive electrode current collector 222 includes a conductive resin material. The conductivity of the resin material is evaluated, for example, by its electronic resistance. The conductive resin material has, for example, an electronic resistance of 200 Ω or less. The electronic resistance of the conductive resin material may be 20 Ω or less. The magnitude of the electronic resistance of the resin material can be obtained, for example, by measuring the through-resistance of a 2 cm × 10 cm sample cut from a resin sheet using an electrical resistance meter and a resistance meter.

[0060] Examples of conductive resin materials include resins containing at least one of a conductive polymer and a conductive filler. Examples of conductive polymers include polyphenylenevinylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polystyrene sulfonic acid, and polyaniline.

[0061] Examples of conductive fillers include various carbon-based materials and various metallic materials. Examples of carbon-based materials include graphite, carbon black (e.g., acetylene black, Ketjenblack, etc.), coke, amorphous carbon, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Examples of metallic materials include aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron, platinum, chromium, tin, indium, titanium, and nickel.

[0062] Examples of the shape of the positive electrode current collector 222 include foil shape (sometimes referred to as plate shape, film shape, sheet shape, etc.), mesh shape, and perforated plate shape. The thickness of the positive electrode current collector 222 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 200 μm. The thickness of the positive electrode current collector 222 may be 6 to 20 μm, or 4 to 10 μm.

[0063] (Positive electrode active material layer) In this embodiment, the positive electrode active material layer 224 is formed on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector 222. The thickness of the positive electrode active material layer 224 may be 1 to 100 μm or 5 to 50 μm per side of the positive electrode current collector 222.

[0064] The positive electrode active material layer 224 includes, for example, a positive electrode active material and a binder material (sometimes referred to as a binder). The positive electrode active material layer 224 may further include at least one of a conductive material and an ion-conducting material. The positive electrode active material layer 224 may include a positive electrode active material and an ion-conducting material. This can suppress the disruption of ion conduction paths and / or electron conduction paths formed inside the positive electrode active material layer 224.

[0065] In one embodiment, the positive electrode active material layer 224 is formed by applying a slurry containing the material constituting the positive electrode active material layer 224 and a solvent to at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector 222, and then drying the slurry. Examples of the solvent include various solvent substances or mixtures thereof. The type of solvent substance is not particularly limited, but examples of the solvent substance include N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and water.

[0066] In another embodiment, the positive electrode active material layer 224 is formed by mixing the materials constituting the positive electrode active material layer 224, molding them into a sheet, and then pressing the sheet-like mixture onto at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector 222. When an organic compound is used as the positive electrode active material, for example, the positive electrode current collector 222 and the positive electrode active material layer 224 are pressed together in such a way that excessive pressure is not applied to the positive electrode active material layer 224 during the pressing process described above.

[0067] For example, when the precursor material for the positive electrode active material layer 224 is coated onto the positive electrode current collector 222 using a coater, the pressure applied to the precursor material for the positive electrode active material layer 224 is adjusted. For example, the coating gap by the coater is set to 180 μm or more. The above coating gap may be set to 200 μm or more. This suppresses the disruption of ion conduction paths and / or electron conduction paths in the positive electrode active material layer 224.

[0068] The crimping process is not limited to the procedure described above. Furthermore, the pressure applied to the positive electrode active material layer 224 during the crimping process may be greater than the pressure applied in the procedure described above.

[0069] (Positive electrode active material) Various materials capable of intercepting and releasing carrier ions of the energy storage cell 112 are used as the positive electrode active material contained in the positive electrode active material layer 224. The positive electrode active material may be an inorganic compound or an organic compound. These positive electrode active materials may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0070] Examples of inorganic compounds used as positive electrode active materials (sometimes referred to as inorganic positive electrode active materials) include metal oxides, metal silicates, metal phosphates, and metal borates. Examples of the metals mentioned above include transition metals such as V, Mn, Ni, and Co.

[0071] Organic compounds used as positive electrode active materials (sometimes referred to as organic positive electrode active materials) include various redox-active compounds. Examples of organic positive electrode active materials include conjugated polymers, disulfides, quinones, localized radicals, and delocalized radicals.

[0072] When using an organic compound with redox activity as the positive electrode active material, the leaching of the positive electrode active material into the electrolyte becomes a problem. Because organic compounds dissolve more easily in electrolytes than inorganic compounds, repeated charging and discharging can cause the positive electrode active material to dissolve into the electrolyte, leading to a decrease in the battery's cycle performance. Therefore, it is necessary to devise ways to make the organic positive electrode active material less soluble in the electrolyte.

[0073] In this embodiment, the positive electrode active material includes a polymer obtained by polymerizing a first monomer, which will be described later. In this embodiment, by polymerizing the organic compound used as the positive electrode active material, the elution of the organic positive electrode active material into the electrolyte can be suppressed, and the cycle characteristics of the battery can be improved.

[0074] The positive electrode active material may include a polymer obtained by polymerizing a second monomer, as described later. The polymer contained in the positive electrode active material may have a structure in which the first monomer is repeatedly polymerized, or a structure in which the second monomer is repeatedly polymerized, or a structure in which the first monomer and the second monomer are repeatedly polymerized in a predetermined ratio. That is, the positive electrode active material may include a polymer obtained by copolymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer.

[0075] The polymer may include a group or structure formed by removing at least two hydrogen atoms from a first monomer or a second monomer. The site from which hydrogen atoms have been removed may be referred to as a bonding site. The polymer may also include a group or structure obtained by bonding some of the above at least two bonding sites with hydrogen atoms.

[0076] The polymer may be an oligomer or a polymer. The polymer may be a dimer, preferably an oligomer of trimers or more, and more preferably an oligomer or polymer of tetramers or more. When the polymer is a polymer or oligomer, the molecular weight of the polymer is, for example, 5000 or less. The molecular weight of the above polymer may be 3000 or less. The molecular weight of the above polymer may be 500 or less.

[0077] (First monomer) In this embodiment, the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1), their derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0078] In equation (1), X and Y are -R, -NH ２ -NHR, -NR １ R ２ -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C=CR １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ OR -P (=O) (OR １ ) ( OR ２ ) is at least one selected from ), where M is a monovalent metal ion, and R, R １ or R ２ This refers to hydrogen or saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having a straight or branched chain with three or fewer carbon atoms.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first monomer is a 9,10-anthraquinone derivative. The 9,10-anthraquinone derivative has both a diene moiety and a dienophile moiety that can serve as reaction sites for the Diels-Alder reaction, a type of pericyclic reaction. Furthermore, the carbonyl moiety can act as an acceptor for electrophilic substitution reactions due to keto-enol tautomerism. In addition, depending on the type of substituents the 9,10-anthraquinone derivative has, it can also act as a donor for electrophilic substitution reactions. Thus, the 9,10-anthraquinone derivative is a substrate that readily undergoes pericyclic and electrophilic substitution reactions, and can easily react and form polymers under conditions such as heating.

[0080] The first monomer may be a 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivative. The first monomer may have substituents at the 4- and 8-positions of 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone. The substituent introduced at the 4-position and the substituent introduced at the 8-position may be the same or different.

[0081] For candidate low-molecular-weight compounds for the first monomer, the capacity when used as an organic cathode active material is predicted using DFT calculations, Hansen solubility parameter calculations, etc. When the above-mentioned functional groups are introduced at the 4th and 8th positions in the first monomer with 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone as the parent skeleton, the effect on the predicted capacity is relatively small. That is, when the substituent is the above-mentioned functional group, the degree of capacity reduction is smaller compared to when the substituent is a functional group other than the above-mentioned functional group.

[0082] Therefore, the present inventors prepared a polymer using a commercially available compound from among the compounds shown in formula (1) as the first monomer, and evaluated the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrode when the polymer was used as an organic positive electrode active material. A person skilled in the art who has read this specification will understand that the charge-discharge characteristics of a positive electrode containing a polymer prepared using the first monomer shown below as an organic positive electrode active material are similar to those of a positive electrode when the compound shown in formula (1) is used as the first monomer.

[0083] (Specific Examples of the First Monomer) The first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (1-1) or (1-2), their derivatives, and salts thereof. The following compounds can be produced by known procedures. The following compounds can be made available on the market.

[0084] The compound represented by formula (1-1) is obtained by having both X and Y as amino groups in formula (1) above. The first monomer may be a reduced form of the compound represented by formula (1-1). The polymer may be obtained by polymerizing the compound represented by formula (1-1) alone.

[0085] The compound represented by formula (1-2) is obtained by having both X and Y as hydroxyl groups in formula (1) above. The first monomer may be a reduced form of the compound represented by formula (1-2). The polymer may be obtained by polymerizing the compound represented by formula (1-2) alone.

[0086] Examples of derivatives of the above compound include compounds in which at least one hydrogen atom in the above compound is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an amino group, a cyano group, a disulfide group, and a nitro group. For example, when the above compound has a substituent, the volume may decrease compared to when the above compound does not have a substituent. However, when the substituent is the above functional group, the degree of volume reduction is smaller compared to when the substituent is a functional group other than the above functional group. A derivative of the above compound may be a compound in which at least one hydrogen atom in the above compound is substituted with a hydroxyl group. When the hydroxyl group is directly bonded to the carbon of the above compound, the volume hardly decreases or even increases.

[0087] (Second monomer) In this embodiment, the second monomer has a conjugated skeleton. The second monomer may be an organic compound having a conjugated skeleton or a salt thereof. The second monomer may contain n ring structures (where n is an integer from 1 to 3). One or more organic compounds or salts thereof may be used as the second monomer.

[0088] In one embodiment, the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton may be a quinone derivative or its reduced form, or an aromatic compound. The aromatic compound may or may not contain heteroatoms. Examples of the above heteroatoms include oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.

[0089] Examples of quinone derivatives include benzoquinone, naphthoquinone, anthraquinone, and their derivatives. Benzoquinone may be p-benzoquinone or o-benzoquinone. Naphthoquinone may be 1,2-naphthoquinone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, or 2,6-naphthoquinone. Anthraquinone may be 1,2-anthraquinone, 1,4-anthraquinone, or 9,10-anthraquinone.

[0090] Examples of derivatives of the above compound include compounds in which at least one hydrogen atom contained in the above compound is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, an amino group, a cyano group, a disulfide group, and a nitro group. A derivative of the above compound may be a compound in which at least one hydrogen atom contained in the above compound is substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups and / or one or more carbonyl groups.

[0091] In other embodiments, the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton may have one or more aromatic rings and two or more ketone functional groups. Examples of organic compounds having one or more aromatic rings and two or more ketone functional groups include the quinone derivatives or their reduced forms described above.

[0092] In yet another embodiment, the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton has a site (sometimes referred to as a reaction site) in the conjugated skeleton that can react with a first monomer. The reaction site may be an electron-withdrawing group. In the above organic compound, the number of reaction sites included in the conjugated skeleton may be two or more per molecule. The number of reaction sites included in the conjugated skeleton may be two or more and 16 or less per molecule. Preferably, the number of reaction sites included in the conjugated skeleton is four or more and 8 or less per molecule.

[0093] The presence of reaction sites in an organic compound reduces its energy density. However, if the number of reaction sites per molecule is 16 or less, the degree of energy density reduction is relatively small. Therefore, the effect of this energy density reduction on the reactivity of the first and second monomers is also small. In particular, when the number of reaction sites per molecule is 8 or less, the degree of energy density reduction is sufficiently small, and the effect of this energy density reduction on the reactivity of the first and second monomers can be ignored.

[0094] On the other hand, if the number of reaction sites per molecule is two or more, then, for example, when the polymer is used as the positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-ion battery with an energy density equal to or greater than that of known lithium-ion batteries can be produced. In particular, if the number of reaction sites per molecule is four or more, a lithium-ion battery with a high energy density can be produced.

[0095] The above organic compounds may contain heteroatoms. The ratio of the number of heteroatoms in the above organic compounds to the total number of atoms other than hydrogen in the above organic compounds may be 0.02 or more and 0.2 or less. The ratio of the number of heteroatoms in the above organic compounds to the number of carbon atoms in the above organic compounds may be 1 or more and 8 or less.

[0096] (Specific examples of the second monomer) Examples of the second monomer include pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, diazabenzene, benzoquinone or its reduced form, or furan. Diazabenzene may be pyridazine, pyrimidine, or pyrazine. Benzoquinone may be p-benzoquinone or o-benzoquinone.

[0097] The second monomer may be a 9,10-anthraquinone derivative. The second monomer may be a 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivative. The second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (1-1) or (1-2), their derivatives, and salts thereof.

[0098] The second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4) and salts thereof. The second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of isomers and derivatives of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4), and salts thereof.

[0099] The second monomer may be a derivative of the above organic compound. The second monomer may be a salt of the above organic compound, or a salt of the above organic compound. Examples of derivatives of the above compound include compounds in which at least one hydrogen contained in the above compound is substituted with a vinyl group or a halogen. The vinyl group or halogen may be directly bonded to the carbon of the above organic compound.

[0100] (Combination of first monomer and second monomer) As described above, the first monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof. Similarly, the second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1), formula (1-2), or formulas (2-1) to (2-4) and derivatives thereof, as well as salts thereof.

[0101] The second monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof. That is, both the first monomer and the second monomer may be 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives. The polymer may be obtained by homopolymerizing the compound represented by formula (1-1), by homopolymerizing the compound represented by formula (1-2), or by copolymerizing the compounds represented by formula (1-1) and formula (1-2).

[0102] In one embodiment, the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof, and the second monomer may be a compound represented by formula (2-1), i.e., pyrrole. In another embodiment, the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof, and the second monomer may be a compound represented by formula (2-2), i.e., quinone.

[0103] In one embodiment, the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof, and the second monomer may be a compound represented by formula (2-3), i.e., catechol. In another embodiment, the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1-1) or formula (1-2) and salts thereof, and the second monomer may be a compound represented by formula (2-4), i.e., pyrazine.

[0104] In one embodiment, the polymer may be obtained by homopolymerizing the compound shown in formula (1-1). In one embodiment, the polymer may be obtained by copolymerizing the compounds shown in formula (1-1) and formula (2-1).

[0105] (Method for producing positive electrode active material) The polymer used as the positive electrode active material described above can be obtained, for example, by the following procedure. According to this embodiment, first, an organic compound to be used as a first monomer and an organic compound to be used as a second monomer are prepared. These organic compounds are produced by known procedures. For example, the compounds shown in formulas (1-1) and (1-2) or salts thereof are available on the market. Similarly, pyrrole, quinone or its reduced form, catechol, pyrazine, or salts thereof are available on the market.

[0106] Next, the first monomer is subjected to homopolymerization, or the first monomer and the second monomer are copolymerized. The following describes an example of a method for producing the copolymer. For example, the polymer can be obtained by polymerizing the first monomer and the second monomer by melt synthesis. For example, first, the first monomer and the second monomer are mixed in a reaction vessel. At this time, a catalyst may be added to the reaction vessel. Examples of catalysts include acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents. A solvent may also be added to the reaction vessel as appropriate. Next, the reaction vessel is placed in a microwave synthesis apparatus. Then, the reaction product can be obtained by appropriately adjusting the reaction temperature and reaction time of the microwave synthesis apparatus. The reaction temperature may be 150 to 500°C, and the reaction time may be 15 to 120 minutes. The copolymer of the first monomer and the second monomer can be obtained by washing and drying the obtained reaction product.

[0107] The polymerization procedure for the first and second monomers is not limited to this embodiment. Copolymers of the first and second monomers can be produced by any known polymerization procedure. Furthermore, the reaction apparatus is not limited to a microwave synthesis apparatus. For example, a heating temperature stage can be used as the reaction apparatus.

[0108] (Materials other than positive electrode active material) The binding material contained in the positive electrode active material layer 224 binds the materials constituting the positive electrode active material layer 224 and maintains the electrode shape of the positive electrode 220. Various polymer materials can be used as binding materials. Examples of the above polymer materials include carboxymethylcellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and derivatives thereof.

[0109] The conductive material contained in the positive electrode active material layer 224 improves the conductivity of the positive electrode active material layer 224. This reduces the resistance of the positive electrode 220. The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it is an electronically conductive material. Examples of conductive materials include carbon-based materials, metallic materials, and conductive polymer materials. These conductive materials may be used alone or in combination with two or more conductive additives.

[0110] Examples of carbon-based materials include graphite, carbon black (e.g., acetylene black, Ketjenblack), coke, amorphous carbon, carbon fibers (e.g., vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCF)), carbon nanotubes (e.g., multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)), and graphene. Examples of metallic materials include aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron, platinum, chromium, tin, indium, titanium, and nickel. Examples of conductive polymer materials include polyphenylene derivatives.

[0111] The conductive material contained in the positive electrode active material layer 224 improves the conductivity of carrier ions in the positive electrode active material layer 224. Various solid electrolytes can be used as conductive materials. Examples of solid electrolytes include sulfide-based solid electrolytes, oxide-based solid electrolytes, and polymer solid electrolytes. Polymer solid electrolytes may be used as conductive materials. Examples of polymer solid electrolytes include polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and at least one compound selected from these derivatives.

[0112] (Separator) In this embodiment, the separator 230 is positioned between the positive electrode 220 and the negative electrode 240, separating them. The separator 230 also ensures the conductivity of carrier ions between the positive electrode 220 and the negative electrode 240. The thickness of the separator 230 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 50 μm.

[0113] The material and shape of the separator 230 are not particularly limited. Examples of materials for the separator 230 include (i) polymer compounds such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymer, (ii) glass fibers, (iii) solid electrolytes, or (iv) composites thereof. Examples of shapes for the separator 230 include microporous films, nonwoven fabrics, and filters. The opening ratio of the separator 230 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 to 70%. The separator 230 may be a layered (sometimes referred to as plate-like, film-like, or sheet-like) solid electrolyte (sometimes referred to as a solid electrolyte layer).

[0114] (Negative Electrode) In this embodiment, the negative electrode current collector 242 holds the negative electrode active material layer 244. Examples of materials for the negative electrode current collector 242 include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof.

[0115] (Negative electrode current collector) At least a portion of the negative electrode current collector 242 may be made of resin. This can reduce the weight of the energy storage cell 112. In particular, when a separator 230 mainly composed of a solid electrolyte is used, the mass of the separator 230 may be relatively large depending on the type of solid electrolyte. Even in such cases, by making at least a portion of the negative electrode current collector 242 of resin, the increase in the overall mass of the energy storage cell 112 is suppressed. As a result, the capacity per unit mass of the energy storage cell 112 and the energy density of the energy storage cell 112 are improved.

[0116] In one embodiment, the negative electrode current collector 242 includes a resin material and a conductive material. For example, the negative electrode current collector 242 has a resin sheet and a conductive layer disposed on at least one side of the resin sheet. The conductive layer may be disposed on both sides of the resin sheet. The conductive layer may be a thin metal film. Examples of materials for the thin metal film include gold, silver, copper, lead, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof. Considering conductivity and specific gravity, the material for the thin metal film may be copper, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, or alloys thereof.

[0117] The resin sheet described above may have multiple through-holes. The size of the through-holes may be 15 to 150 μm in equivalent circular diameter. Examples of resin sheet materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyimide. The thickness of the resin sheet is not particularly limited; it just needs to be thick enough to prevent damage to the conductive layer. The thickness of the resin sheet may be 20 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less.

[0118] The thickness of the conductive layer may be 20 μm or less per side, 5 μm or less per side, or 1 μm or less per side. The thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.5 μm or less per side. The lower limit of the thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.05 μm or 0.1 μm per side.

[0119] When the thickness of the conductive layer is 20 μm or less per side, the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 improves. When the thickness of the conductive layer is 1 μm or less per side, the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 improves significantly. On the other hand, when the thickness of the conductive layer is less than 0.1 μm per side, the conductive layer becomes easily damaged. However, according to this embodiment, the conductive layer is supported by a resin sheet. Therefore, even when the thickness of the conductive layer is about 0.1 μm per side, damage to the conductive layer is suppressed.

[0120] The thickness of the conductive layer may be 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less, or 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less. When the thickness of the conductive layer falls within the above numerical range, a high level of improvement in the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112 and suppression of damage to the conductive layer can be achieved.

[0121] In other embodiments, the negative electrode current collector 242 includes a conductive resin material. The conductivity of the resin material is evaluated, for example, by its electronic resistance. The conductive resin material has, for example, an electronic resistance of 200 Ω or less. The electronic resistance of the conductive resin material may be 20 Ω or less. The magnitude of the electronic resistance of the resin material can be obtained, for example, by measuring the through-resistance of a 2 cm × 10 cm sample cut from a resin sheet using an electrical resistance meter and a resistance meter. The conductive resin material may have similar characteristics to the resin material described in relation to the positive electrode current collector 222.

[0122] When a carrier metal is used as the negative electrode active material, the carrier metal can also function as a current collector. For example, if the carrier metal of the energy storage cell 112 is lithium and the negative electrode active material is lithium metal, the lithium metal is used as the current collector. In this case, the energy storage cell 112 does not need to be equipped with a negative electrode current collector 242.

[0123] Examples of the shape of the negative electrode current collector 242 include foil shape (sometimes referred to as plate shape, film shape, etc.), mesh shape, and perforated plate shape. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector 242 is not particularly limited, but may be 1 to 200 μm. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector 242 may be 6 to 20 μm, or 4 to 10 μm.

[0124] In this embodiment, the negative electrode active material layer 244 is formed on at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector 242. The thickness of the negative electrode active material layer 244 may be greater than 0 and less than or equal to 200 μm, or 1 to 100 μm, per side of the negative electrode current collector 242.

[0125] (Negative electrode active material layer) The negative electrode active material layer 244 includes, for example, a negative electrode active material and a binder material (sometimes referred to as a binder). The negative electrode active material layer 244 may further include at least one of a conductive material and an ion conductive material. The negative electrode active material layer 244 may include a negative electrode active material and an ion conductive material. This can suppress the disruption of ion conduction paths and / or electron conduction paths formed inside the negative electrode active material layer 244.

[0126] In one embodiment, the negative electrode active material layer 244 is prepared by applying a slurry containing the materials constituting the negative electrode active material layer 244 and an organic solvent to at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector 242, and then drying the slurry. Examples of the solvent include various solvent substances or mixtures thereof. The type of solvent substance is not particularly limited, but examples of the solvent substance include N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and water.

[0127] In another embodiment, the negative electrode active material layer 244 is formed by mixing the materials constituting the negative electrode active material layer 244, molding them into a sheet, and then pressing the sheet-like mixture onto at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector 242. When an organic compound is used as the negative electrode active material, the negative electrode current collector 242 and the negative electrode active material layer 244 are pressed together in such a way that excessive pressure is not applied to the negative electrode active material layer 244 during the pressing process described above.

[0128] For example, when the precursor material for the negative electrode active material layer 244 is coated onto the negative electrode current collector 242 using a coater, the pressure applied to the precursor material for the negative electrode active material layer 244 is adjusted. For example, the coating gap by the coater is set to 180 μm or more. The above coating gap may be set to 200 μm or more. This suppresses the disruption of ion conduction paths and / or electron conduction paths in the negative electrode active material layer 244.

[0129] The crimping process is not limited to the procedure described above. Furthermore, the pressure applied to the positive electrode active material layer 224 during the crimping process may be greater than the pressure applied in the procedure described above.

[0130] As the negative electrode active material layer, a plate or foil of the carrier ion metal (sometimes referred to as the carrier metal) of the energy storage cell 112 may be used. Examples of carrier metals include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and aluminum.

[0131] (Negative electrode active material) Various materials capable of intercepting and releasing carrier ions of the energy storage cell 112 are used as negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode active material layer 244. The negative electrode active material may be an inorganic compound or an organic compound. These negative electrode active materials may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0132] Examples of inorganic compounds used as negative electrode active materials (sometimes referred to as inorganic negative electrode active materials) include (i) carrier metals and alloys containing them, (ii) tin, silicon and alloys containing them, (iii) silicon oxide, and (iv) titanium oxide. For example, if the energy storage cell 112 is a lithium secondary battery, metallic lithium, lithium titanium oxide (LTO), etc., are used as negative electrode active materials. When a material that does not contain a carrier metal is used as the negative electrode active material, the material may be pre-doped with a carrier metal.

[0133] For example, a metal foil or metal plate capable of releasing carrier ions from the energy storage cell 112 is used as the negative electrode active material layer 244. This improves the mass energy density of the energy storage cell 112. The thickness of the metal foil may be 1 to 200 μm, 10 to 100 μm, or 20 to 50 μm. The thickness and / or mass of the metal foil may be determined according to the content of the positive electrode active material in the positive electrode active material layer 224.

[0134] Various organic compounds known to function as negative electrode active materials can be used as negative electrode active materials. Polymers used as positive electrode active materials, as described above, may also be used as negative electrode active materials.

[0135] (Materials other than the negative electrode active material) The binding material contained in the negative electrode active material layer 244 binds the materials constituting the negative electrode active material layer 244 and maintains the electrode shape of the negative electrode 240. Various polymer materials can be used as binding materials. Examples of the above polymer materials include carboxymethylcellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and derivatives thereof.

[0136] The conductive material contained in the negative electrode active material layer 244 improves the conductivity of the negative electrode active material layer 244. This reduces the resistance of the negative electrode 240. The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it is an electronically conductive material. Examples of conductive materials include carbon-based materials, metallic materials, and conductive polymer materials. These conductive materials may be used alone or in combination with two or more conductive additives.

[0137] Examples of carbon-based materials include graphite, carbon black (e.g., acetylene black, Ketjenblack), coke, amorphous carbon, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Examples of metallic materials include aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron, platinum, chromium, tin, indium, titanium, and nickel. Examples of conductive polymer materials include polyphenylene derivatives.

[0138] The conductive material contained in the negative electrode active material layer 244 improves the conductivity of carrier ions in the negative electrode active material layer 244. As the conductive material, various solid electrolytes can be used, for example. Examples of solid electrolytes include sulfide-based solid electrolytes, oxide-based solid electrolytes, and polymer solid electrolytes. Polymer solid electrolytes may be used as the conductive material. Examples of polymer solid electrolytes include polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and at least one compound selected from these derivatives.

[0139] (Electrolyte and Solvent)In this embodiment, the electrolyte solution 250 realizes ionic conduction between the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material through the electrolyte contained in the electrolyte solution 250. According to this embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte solution is used as the electrolyte solution 250. As the non-aqueous electrolyte solution, a known organic electrolyte solution can be used. For example, when the power storage cell 112 is a lithium-ion secondary battery or a lithium metal secondary battery, (i) a solution in which one or more solvents such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, and diethyl carbonate, and (ii) lithium salts such as lithium perchlorate and LiPF ６ are dissolved is used as the electrolyte solution 250.

[0140] The non-aqueous electrolyte solution contains, for example, a supporting electrolyte salt and a non-aqueous solvent. Examples of the supporting electrolyte salt include metal salts. Examples of the metal salts include sodium salts and lithium salts. Examples of the sodium salts include inorganic sodium salts such as NaPF ６ , NaBF ４ , NaClO ４ and NaAsF ６ , and organic sodium salts such as NaCF ３ SO ３ , NaN(CF ３ SO ２ ), NaN(C ２ F ２ SO ５ ), NaN(C ２ F ２ [[ID=X]], NaC(CF ３ SO ２ ), NaC(C ３ F ６ SO ４ ), NaN(CF ４ SO ６ ), NaN(C ３ F ３ SO ３ ), NaN(C ２ [[ID=5X]]F ２ SO ２ ), NaC(CF ５ SO[[ID=5X]] ２ ), NaC(C ２ F ３ SO ２ ). Examples of the lithium salts include inorganic lithium salts such as LiPF ３Examples of organolithium salts include the following.

[0141] Examples of non-aqueous solvents include ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), butylene carbonate (BC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), γ-butyrolactone, sulfolane, acetonitrile, 1,2-dimethoxymethane, 1,3-dimethoxypropane, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, and mixtures thereof. In particular, ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) are widely used as solvents for electrolytes or gel electrolytes.

[0142] The concentration of sodium salt in the non-aqueous electrolyte is not particularly limited, but may be in the range of 0.5 to 4.0 mol / L. The concentration of sodium salt may also be in the range of 0.7 mol / L to 2.0 mol / L, or in the range of 1.0 mol / L to 1.5 mol / L. The concentration of lithium salt in the non-aqueous electrolyte is not particularly limited, but may be in the range of 0.5 to 4.0 mol / L. The concentration of lithium salt may also be in the range of 0.7 mol / L to 2.0 mol / L, or in the range of 1.0 mol / L to 1.5 mol / L.

[0143] The positive electrode 220 may be an example of an electrode. The negative electrode 240 may be an example of an electrode. The positive electrode active material contained in the positive electrode active material layer 224 may be an example of an electrode active material. The negative electrode active material contained in the negative electrode active material layer 244 may be an example of an electrode active material. The solvent of the electrolyte 250 may be an example of an electrolyte or gel electrolyte solvent.

[0144] (An example of another embodiment) In this embodiment, the details of the energy storage cell 112 were described using the case where the energy storage cell 112 is a coin-type secondary battery as an example. However, the type and structure of the energy storage cell 112 are not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the energy storage cell 112 may be a cylindrical battery having a wound electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are wound in a spiral shape. In yet another embodiment, the energy storage cell 112 may be a laminated battery in which a laminated electrode body in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately stacked with a separator in between is sealed with a laminate.

[0145] In this embodiment, the details of the energy storage cell 112 were described as an example in which the negative electrode 240 has a negative electrode current collector 242 and a negative electrode active material layer 244. However, the negative electrode of the energy storage cell 112 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, a plate-shaped or foil-shaped carrier metal functions as the negative electrode current collector 242 and the negative electrode active material layer 244. For example, if the energy storage cell 112 is a lithium metal secondary battery, metallic lithium can be used as the negative electrode.

[0146] In this embodiment, the details of the energy storage cell 112 were described as an example in which the positive electrode active material includes at least one of an organic positive electrode active material and an inorganic positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode active material includes at least one of an organic negative electrode active material and an inorganic negative electrode active material. However, the energy storage cell 112 is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the positive electrode active material mainly includes an organic positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode active material mainly includes an inorganic negative electrode active material (for example, metallic lithium). In yet another embodiment, the positive electrode active material mainly includes an inorganic positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode active material mainly includes an organic negative electrode active material.

[0147] (Preparation of Polymers) In Examples 1 to 10, polymers were prepared using the first monomer or the second monomer described above. In Comparative Examples 1 to 5, polymers were prepared by changing the first monomer from that used in Examples 1 to 10.

[0148] (Example 1) The first monomer was prepared by purchasing the compound represented by chemical formula (1-1) (manufactured by Combi-Blocks, 95% purity). Approximately 30 cm ３Into a pressure-resistant glass reaction vessel, 1 mmol of the first monomer and 1.5 mL of toluene (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., purity 99.5%) were charged, and the two were mixed in the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel was set in a microwave synthesizer and reacted at 200 °C for 1 hour. The reaction system was taken out from the reaction vessel, and the residue was washed with acetone and suction-filtered to remove unreacted monomers and low molecular weight products. Thereafter, the product was vacuum dried at 200 °C for 16 hours to remove low molecular weight products. Thereafter, a photograph of the sample was taken, and the presence or absence of the product and the color of the product were confirmed.

[0149] (Examples 2 to 5) The first monomer was prepared by purchasing the compound represented by Chemical Formula (1-1). Compounds represented by Chemical Formulas (2-1) to (2-4) (Chemical Formula (2-1): pyrrole, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 99.0%, Chemical Formula (2-2): 1,4-benzoquinone, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 98.0%, Chemical Formula (2-3): catechol, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 99.0%, Chemical Formula (2-4): pyrazine, manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 98.0%) were purchased to prepare the second monomer. Into a pressure-resistant glass reaction vessel of about 30 cm ３ 1 mmol of the first monomer, 1 mmol of the second monomer, and 3.0 mL of toluene were charged, and the two were mixed in the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel was set in a microwave synthesizer and reacted at 200 °C for 1 hour. The reaction system was taken out from the reaction vessel, and the residue was washed with acetone and suction-filtered to remove unreacted monomers and low molecular weight products. Thereafter, the product was vacuum dried at 200 °C for 16 hours to remove low molecular weight products. Thereafter, a photograph of the sample was taken, and the presence or absence of the product and the color of the product were confirmed.

[0150] (Examples 6 to 10) In each of Examples 6 to 10, the presence or absence of the product and the color of the product were confirmed by the same procedure as in Examples 1 to 5, except that the first monomer was prepared by purchasing the compound represented by Chemical Formula (1-2) (manufactured by Combi-Blocks, purity 95%).

[0151] (Comparative Examples 1-5) In each of Comparative Examples 1-5, the presence or absence of a product and the color of the product were confirmed using the same procedure as in Examples 1-10, except that the first monomer was prepared by purchasing the compounds represented by the following chemical formulas (3-1) to (3-3) (Compound (3-1): manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 95.0%, Compound (3-2): manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 98.0%, Compound (3-3): manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., purity 98.0%).

[0152] (Evaluation of Polymer Formation) The results are shown in Table 1. In Table 1, D indicates that polymer formation was confirmed, and ND indicates that it was not confirmed.

[0153] In all of the following examples, the formation of a black polymer was confirmed: Example 1, in which the compound represented by formula (1-1) was homopolymerized; Example 6, in which the compound represented by formula (1-2) was homopolymerized; Examples 2 to 5, in which the compound represented by formula (1-1) was copolymerized with the compounds represented by formulas (2-1) to (2-4); and Examples 7 to 10, in which the compound represented by formula (1-2) was copolymerized with the compounds represented by formulas (2-1) to (2-4). Furthermore, the formation of a black polymer was also confirmed in Comparative Examples 3 and 4, in which the compound represented by formula (3-2) was copolymerized with the compound represented by formula (2-1) or formula (2-4), and in Comparative Example 5, in which the compound represented by formula (3-3) was copolymerized with the compound represented by formula (2-4). On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, in which the compound represented by formula (3-1) and the compound represented by formula (2-1) were polymerized, and in Comparative Example 2, in which the compound represented by formula (3-1) and the compound represented by formula (2-3) were polymerized, the formation of polymers could not be confirmed.

[0154] (Preparation of positive electrode) (Examples 1-10) 6 mg of each product obtained in Examples 1-10 and Comparative Examples 3-5 was mixed with an electrolytic agent (Denka Black, manufactured by Denka Co., Ltd.) and a binder (polyvinylidene fluoride, manufactured by Kureha Corporation) in a mass ratio of product:electrolytic agent:binder of 3:6:1. The above mixture was added to N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP, manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., purity 99.0%) to prepare a slurry. The above slurry was applied to a 10 x 10 mm stainless steel mesh (SUS316L, manufactured by Tokyo Screen Co., Ltd., product number: 00095844). The above slurry was dried in a constant temperature bath at 60°C for 1 hour, and then vacuum dried using a vacuum dryer at 60°C for 12 hours. A positive electrode was thus prepared.

[0155] (Examples 11 and 12) Positive electrodes were manufactured using the same procedure as in Examples 1 and 2, except that a mixture of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene was used as the electrostatic support material. Specifically, 6 mg of each product prepared in Examples 1 and 2 was mixed with the electrostatic support material (MWCNTs, manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich), the electrostatic support material (Graphene nanoplates aggregates; graphene, manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich), and the binder (Kureha Corporation, polyvinylidene fluoride) in a mass ratio of product:electrostatic support material (MWCNTs):electrostatic support material (graphene):binder of 3:2:4:1. The above mixture was added to N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP, manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd., purity 99.0%) to prepare a slurry. The slurry was applied to a 10 x 10 mm stainless steel mesh (SUS316L, manufactured by Tokyo Screen Co., Ltd., part number: 00095844). The slurry was dried in a constant temperature bath at 60°C for 1 hour, and then vacuum dried in a vacuum dryer at 60°C for 12 hours. A positive electrode was manufactured by this process.

[0156] (Comparative Examples 3-5) Positive electrodes were also prepared for each of Comparative Examples 3-5 in which polymer formation was confirmed. The positive electrodes were prepared using the same procedure as in Examples 1-10, except that the products obtained in each of Comparative Examples 3-5 were used.

[0157] (Evaluation of Electrochemical Properties) The electrochemical activity of the positive electrodes manufactured in each of Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 was investigated using a charge / discharge device (HJ1001SD8, manufactured by Hokuto Denko Co., Ltd.). Specifically, the positive electrodes manufactured in each of the above examples were used as the working electrode of the charge / discharge device. Lithium metal was used as the reference electrode of the charge / discharge device. Lithium metal was used as the counter electrode of the charge / discharge device. LiPF was added to a mixed solution of EC / DMC (1:2 v / v%). ６ An electrolyte was prepared by dissolving the LiPF in the electrolyte. ６ The concentration is 1 mol / dm ３ In each measurement, 20 cm ３ The following electrolyte was used. The scan range was set to 2.0 to 4.3 V (vs. Li / Li+), and the charge-discharge characteristics were measured under conditions where the positive electrode rate was 50 mA / g.

[0158] Figure 3 shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 6. In Figure 3, the solid line 30 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 3, the dotted line 35 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 6. The measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics show that the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 6 have a sufficiently large capacity.

[0159] Figure 4A shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 2. In Figure 4A, the solid line 40 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 4A, the dotted line 42 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 2. The measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics show that the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 2 have a sufficiently large capacity.

[0160] Figure 4B shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 3. In Figure 4B, the solid line 40 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 4B, the dotted line 43 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 3. The measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics show that the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 3 have a sufficiently large capacity.

[0161] Figure 4C shows the measurement results of the charge and discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 4. In Figure 4C, the solid line 40 shows the charge and discharge curve in the charge and discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 4C, the dotted line 44 shows the charge and discharge curve in the charge and discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 4. The measurement results of the charge and discharge characteristics show that the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 4 have a sufficiently large capacity.

[0162] Figure 4D shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 5. In Figure 4D, the solid line 40 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 4D, the dotted line 45 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 5. The measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics show that the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Example 5 have a sufficiently large capacity.

[0163] Figure 5 shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 11 and Example 12. In Figure 5, the solid line 50 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 11. In Figure 5, the dotted line 55 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 12. It can be seen that both Example 11 and Example 12 have excellent capacities of 300 mAh / g or more. Thus, the capacity of the positive electrode can be improved by changing the type of auxiliary material.

[0164] Figure 6A shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Comparative Example 3. In Figure 6A, the solid line 60 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 6A, the dotted line 63 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Comparative Example 3. From the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics, it can be seen that the positive electrode of Example 1 has a larger capacity compared to the positive electrode of Comparative Example 3.

[0165] Figure 6B shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Comparative Example 4. In Figure 6B, the solid line 60 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 6B, the dotted line 64 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Comparative Example 4. From the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics, it can be seen that the positive electrode of Example 1 has a larger capacity compared to the positive electrode of Comparative Example 4.

[0166] Figure 6C shows the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes of Example 1 and Comparative Example 5. In Figure 6C, the solid line 60 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Example 1. In Figure 6C, the dotted line 65 shows the charge-discharge curve in the charge-discharge characteristic test using the positive electrode of Comparative Example 5. From the measurement results of the charge-discharge characteristics, it can be seen that the positive electrode of Example 1 has a larger capacity compared to the positive electrode of Comparative Example 5.

[0167] Table 2 shows a list of the charge-discharge characteristics of the positive electrodes for Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5. In Table 2, A indicates that a capacity of 200 mAh / g or more was confirmed by charge-discharge measurement. B indicates that a capacity of 35 mAh / g or more was confirmed by charge-discharge measurement. C indicates that the capacity measured by charge-discharge measurement is less than 35 mAh / g.

[0168] As shown in Table 2, the positive electrodes of Examples 1 to 12 all exhibited capacities of 35 mAh / g or higher. In particular, the positive electrodes of Examples 11 and 12 both exhibited very high capacities of 200 mAh / g or higher. These results clearly demonstrate that polymers obtained by homopolymerizing a derivative of 1,5-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone as the first monomer, or polymers obtained by copolymerizing the first monomer with a second monomer selected from pyrrole, quinone, catechol, pyrazine, and their salts, have excellent properties as organic positive electrode active materials.

[0169] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0170] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order.

[0171] 100...Flight body, 110...Battery, 112...Energy cell, 120...Power control circuit, 130...Electric motor, 140...Propeller, 150...Sensor, 160...Control device, 212...Positive electrode case, 214...Negative electrode case, 216...Sealant, 218...Metal spring, 220...Positive electrode, 222...Positive electrode current collector, 224...Positive electrode active material layer, 230...Separator, 240...Negative electrode, 242...Negative electrode current collector, 244...Negative electrode active material layer, 250...Electrolyte

Claims

1. A polymer obtained by polymerizing a first monomer, wherein the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1), its derivatives, and salts thereof. In the formula (1), X and Y are -R, -NH １ , ３ , ３ , ２ , ２ , ２ , １ , ２ , １ , -NHR, -NR １ R ２ , -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C=CR １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ or -P(=O)(OR １ )(OR ２ ), and at least one selected therefrom; M is a monovalent metal ion; R, R １ or R ２ is hydrogen or a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having a straight or branched chain with 3 or fewer carbon atoms.

2. The first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1-1) or formula (1-2), their derivatives, and salts thereof. The polymer according to claim 1.

3. The polymer according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is obtained by polymerizing the first monomer and a second monomer having a conjugated skeleton, the second monomer being an organic compound having a conjugated skeleton or a salt thereof, and the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton being a quinone derivative or a reduced form thereof, or an aromatic compound.

4. The polymer according to claim 1, obtained by polymerizing the first monomer and a second monomer having a conjugated skeleton, wherein the second monomer is an organic compound having a conjugated skeleton or a salt thereof, the number of reactable sites in the conjugated skeleton with the first monomer is 2 or more, the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton contains heteroatoms, and the ratio of the number of heteroatoms to the number of carbon atoms in the organic compound having a conjugated skeleton is 1 or more and 8 or less.

5. The first monomer and the second monomer are at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1-1) or formula (1-2), their derivatives, and salts thereof. The polymer according to claim 4.

6. The polymer is obtained by polymerizing the first monomer with a second monomer having a conjugated skeleton, wherein the second monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4), their derivatives, and salts thereof. The polymer according to claim 1.

7. The polymer is obtained by homopolymerizing the first monomer, which is a compound represented by the following formula (1-1). The polymer according to claim 1.

8. The polymer is obtained by homopolymerizing the first monomer, which is a compound represented by the following formula (1-2). The polymer according to claim 1.

9. The first monomer is a compound represented by the following formula (1-1). The polymer according to claim 6.

10. The polymer according to claim 9, wherein the second monomer is a compound represented by formula (2-1).

11. An electrode active material comprising the polymer according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The electrode active material according to claim 11, wherein the electrode active material is a positive electrode active material.

13. A battery comprising an electrode having the electrode active material described in claim 11.

14. The battery according to claim 13, wherein the electrode comprises one or more selected from vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCF), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), or acetylene black (AB), and graphene.

15. The battery according to claim 13, further comprising an electrolyte or gel electrolyte containing a solvent.

16. An aircraft comprising a battery according to claim 14 and a thrust generating device that generates thrust using the electrical energy stored in the battery.

17. The process comprises a step of polymerizing a first monomer, wherein the first monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1), their derivatives, and salts thereof. In formula (1) above, X and Y are -R, -NH ２ -NHR, -NR １ R ２ -NHCOR, -N=NR, halogen, -OH, -OM, -OR, -CHO, -C(=O)R, -COOM, -COOR, -CN, -C=CR １ R ２ , -C≡CR, -Ph, -NO ２ , -SO ３ R, -SO ３ M, -SR, -S-SR, -P(=O)R １ R ２ OR -P (=O) (OR １ ) ( OR ２ ) is at least one selected from, where M is a monovalent metal ion, and R, R １ or R ２ A method for producing polymers that are hydrogen or saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having a straight or branched chain with three or fewer carbon atoms.

18. The step of polymerizing the first monomer comprises a step of copolymerizing the second monomer, wherein the second monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), or (2-4), their derivatives, and salts thereof. A method for producing the polymer described in claim 17.

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