Positive electrode for lithium secondary battery, lithium secondary battery, and method for manufacturing positive electrode for lithium secondary battery

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, a lithium secondary battery, and a method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery. The positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present disclosure comprises a positive electrode active material and a positive electrode additive containing lithium, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the positive electrode additive is coated with metal oxide particles, and an amorphous carbon coating layer may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles.

Description

A cathode for a lithium secondary battery, a lithium secondary battery, and a method for manufacturing a cathode for a lithium secondary battery

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, a lithium secondary battery, and a method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery.

[0002] Recently, accompanied by the rapid proliferation of battery-powered electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and electric vehicles, the demand for high-energy-density, high-capacity rechargeable batteries is rapidly increasing. Accordingly, research and development to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries is actively underway.

[0003] A lithium secondary battery is a battery comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode containing an active material capable of lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation, and an electrolyte, and produces electrical energy through oxidation and reduction reactions when lithium ions are intercalated / deintercalated from the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0004] Currently commercially available lithium secondary batteries mainly use carbon-based negative electrode active materials such as graphite. Carbon-based negative electrode active materials do not change in volume during charging and discharging, so the stability of lithium secondary batteries is high. The theoretical electric capacity of graphite is small, about 372 mAh / g.

[0005] Lithium metal can be used as a negative electrode active material. Lithium metal has a very large theoretical electric capacity of approximately 3,860 mAh / g. During charging and discharging, dendrites can form on the surface of lithium metal due to side reactions with the electrolyte, and as these dendrites grow, they can cause a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes. Consequently, the lifespan characteristics and thermal stability of lithium metal batteries containing lithium metal are degraded.

[0006] There is a need for methods to improve the lifespan characteristics and thermal stability of lithium metal secondary batteries containing lithium metal. In addition, numerous studies are being conducted on lithium metal batteries without a negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode current collector to increase energy density compared to conventional lithium secondary batteries. However, it has been reported that lithium metal batteries without a negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode current collector inevitably suffer from volume changes as lithium is directly deposited on the negative electrode current collector during repeated charging and discharging cycles. Furthermore, during the initial charging and discharging process of lithium metal secondary batteries, lithium ions move to the negative electrode and cause side reactions, forming an SEI layer. Due to the lithium consumption during the formation of this SEI layer, there is a problem of increased irreversible capacity loss.

[0007] The information described above disclosed in the background technology of this invention is intended only to enhance understanding of the background of the present invention and may therefore include information that does not constitute prior art.

[0008] One embodiment provides a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same to solve the above technical problem.

[0009] Another embodiment provides a lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery to solve the above technical problem.

[0010] A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem comprises a positive electrode active material and a positive electrode additive comprising lithium, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the positive electrode additive is coated with metal oxide particles, and an amorphous carbon coating layer may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles.

[0011] A lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode comprises a positive active material and a positive additive comprising lithium, at least a portion of the surface of the positive additive is coated with metal oxide particles, and an amorphous carbon coating layer may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles.

[0012] A method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem may include the steps of forming an amorphous carbon coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of metal oxide particles, coating at least a portion of the surface of a positive electrode additive containing lithium with metal oxide particles, and mixing the positive electrode active material and the positive electrode additive.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a highly electrically conductive amorphous carbon coating layer is formed on metal oxide particles coating an anode additive, so that the anode additive can maintain electrical conductivity even after lithium ions have been released. Through this, the phenomenon in which the anode additive increases the resistance of the anode after charging can be suppressed.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an excess amount of lithium from the positive electrode additive is supplementarily supplied to the negative electrode during the charging and discharging process of the secondary battery, thereby improving the capacity retention rate, lifespan characteristics, and thermal stability of the secondary battery.

[0015] However, the effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0016] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims set forth below.

[0024] Unless otherwise specifically stated in this specification, when a part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately on" another part, but also cases where there is another part in between.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified in this specification, a singular form may also include a plural form. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, "A or B" may mean "including A, including B, or including A and B."

[0026] In this specification, "combination of these" may mean a mixture of components, a laminate, a composite, a copolymer, an alloy, a blend, and a reaction product, etc.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined in this specification, the particle size may be the average particle size. Additionally, the particle size refers to the average particle size (D50), which means the diameter of the particle whose cumulative volume in the particle size distribution is 50% by volume. The average particle size (D50) may be measured by methods widely known to those skilled in the art, for example, by measuring with a particle size analyzer, or by measuring with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. Alternatively, the average particle size (D50) value may be obtained by measuring using a measuring device utilizing dynamic light scattering, performing data analysis to count the number of particles for each particle size range, and then calculating from this. Alternatively, it may be measured using a laser diffraction method. When measuring by laser diffraction, more specifically, after dispersing the particles to be measured in a dispersion medium, they are introduced into a commercially available laser diffraction particle size measuring device (e.g., Microtrac MT 3000) and irradiated with ultrasound of about 28 kHz at an output of 60 W, and then the average particle size (D50) at 50% of the particle size distribution in the measuring device can be calculated.

[0028] Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, but suitable methods and materials are described herein. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, components, materials, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, components, materials, or combinations thereof.

[0030] In this specification, the term “combination of these” means a mixture or combination with one or more of the described components, and may mean a mixture of components, a laminate, a composite, a copolymer, an alloy, a blend, and a reaction product, etc.

[0031] In this specification, the term “and / or” means any combination of one or more items described in relation and all combinations thereof. In this specification, the term “or” means “and / or”.

[0032] In this specification, when a part such as a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is directly above the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between.

[0033] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0034] In this specification, “metal” includes both metals and metalloids such as silicon and germanium in an elemental or ionic state.

[0035] In this specification, "alloy" means a mixture of two or more metals.

[0036] In this specification, "anode active material" refers to an anode material capable of undergoing lithiation and delithiation.

[0037] In this specification, "anode active material" refers to an anode material capable of undergoing lithiation and delithiation.

[0038] In this specification, "lithiation" and "to lithiate" refer to the process of adding lithium to a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material.

[0039] In this specification, "delithiation" and "to delithiate" refer to the process of removing lithium from a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material.

[0040] In this specification, "charge" and "to charge" refer to the process of providing electrochemical energy to a battery.

[0041] In this specification, "discharge" and "discharge" refer to the process of removing electrochemical energy from a battery.

[0042] In this specification, "anode" and "cathode" refer to electrodes where electrochemical reduction and lithiation occur during the discharge process.

[0043] In this specification, "cathode" and "anode" refer to electrodes where electrochemical oxidation and delithiation occur during the discharge process.

[0044] Exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045]

[0046] anode

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal composition of the positive electrode active material layer to be described later.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a positive electrode (100) for a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a positive electrode active material (110) and a positive electrode additive (120) containing lithium.

[0049] The positive electrode active material (110) is a material capable of reversibly inserting and extracting lithium ions and may include a complex oxide or phosphate of a metal such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, iron, or a combination thereof, and lithium. The detailed composition of the positive electrode active material (110) will be described later.

[0050] The anode additive (120) may include a superlithium compound containing a proportion of lithium higher than the stoichiometric ratio. The lithium in the anode additive (120) can compensate for the consumption of lithium ions and irreversible capacity loss resulting from the charging and discharging of the secondary battery at the anode (100). For example, the anode additive may include Li5FeO4, Li6CoO4, Li3P, Li2O, Li3N, or a combination thereof.

[0051] The anode additive (120) may have the form of primary particles having a volume average particle size (D50) of 0.5 μm to 45 μm, 1 μm to 25 μm, or 5 μm to 15 μm, or secondary particles formed by the aggregation of primary particles, so that it can be uniformly mixed with the anode active material (110) and exhibit appropriate characteristics within the anode (100).

[0052] In one embodiment, the positive electrode (100) for a lithium secondary battery may be a positive electrode used in a lithium metal secondary battery comprising lithium metal as a negative electrode active material. At this time, the ratio of the positive electrode additive (120) to the positive electrode active material (110) may be 5 wt% to 25 wt%, 10 wt% to 25 wt%, 15 wt% to 25 wt%, 20 wt% to 25 wt%, 5 wt% to 30 wt%, 10 wt% to 30 wt%, 15 wt% to 30 wt%, 20 wt% to 30 wt%, 25 wt% to 30 wt%, 5 wt% to 20 wt%, 10 wt% to 20 wt%, or 15 wt% to 20 wt%.

[0053] In one embodiment, the positive electrode (100) for a lithium secondary battery may be a positive electrode used in a lithium-ion secondary battery comprising graphite or silicon as a negative electrode active material. At this time, the ratio of the positive electrode additive (120) to the positive electrode active material (110) may be 0.01 wt% to 1 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 1 wt%, or 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt%.

[0054] At least a portion of the surface of the anode additive (120) can be coated with metal oxide particles (130). The ratio of metal oxide particles (130) to anode additive (120) is 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%, 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%, 1 wt% to 5 wt%, 1.5 wt% to 5 wt%, 2 wt% to 5 wt%, 2.5 wt% to 5 wt%, 3 wt% to 5 wt%, 3.5 wt% to 5 wt%, 4 wt% to 5 wt%, 4.5 wt% to 5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 4.5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 4 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 3.5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 3 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 2.5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 2 wt%, 0.1 It may be wt% to 1.5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 1 wt%, 0.5 wt% to 3 wt%, or 1 wt% to 2 wt%. Additionally, the metal oxide particles (130) may have an average particle size (D50) of 0.1 to 2.0 μm, 0.1 to 1.5 μm, 0.1 to 1.0 μm, or 0.1 to 0.5 μm, or 0.2 to 0.4 μm, so that they can be uniformly coated on the surface of the anode additive (120) to exhibit appropriate characteristics within the anode (100).

[0055] In one embodiment, the metal oxide particles (130) may include Al2O3, ZrO2, or a combination thereof.

[0056] An amorphous carbon coating layer (140) may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles (130). The amorphous carbon coating layer (140) can improve the electrical conductivity of the metal oxide particles (130) and the anode additive (120) coated with the metal oxide particles (130). Through this, even if lithium ions are defused from the anode additive (120) after charging, the phenomenon of increased resistance of the anode (100) containing the anode additive (120) can be suppressed.

[0057] In one embodiment, the amorphous carbon coating layer (140) may have a thickness of 10 nm to 300 nm, and the amorphous carbon coating layer (140) may be formed by physically and uniformly adsorbing or chemically bonding amorphous carbon on the surface of metal oxide particles (130). For example, the amorphous carbon coating layer (140) may include pitch-based carbon with high electrical conductivity. The amorphous carbon coating layer (140) may be formed by heat-treating or carbonizing pitch-based carbon.

[0058] As a precursor of amorphous carbon included in the amorphous carbon coating layer (140), conventionally known materials may be used without being particularly limited. For example, the precursor of amorphous carbon may include a mixture of a resin pitch and resins, such as coal-based pitch, petroleum-based pitch, phenolic resin, furan resin, etc., or a combination thereof. The coal-based pitch may include coal tar pitch, coal liquefaction pitch, or a combination thereof.

[0059] Here, the ratio of the amorphous carbon coating layer (140) to the metal oxide particles (130) is 10 wt% to 80 wt%, 20 wt% to 80 wt%, 20 wt% to 70 wt%, 20 wt% to 60 wt%, 20 wt% to 50 wt%, 20 wt% to 40 wt%, 20 wt% to 30 wt%, 30 wt% to 80 wt%, 40 wt% to 80 wt%, 50 wt% to 80 wt%, 60 wt% to 80 wt%, 70 wt% to 80 wt%, 30 wt% to 70 wt%, 40 wt% to 70 wt%, 50 wt% to 70 wt%, or 60 wt% to 70 It can be wt%.

[0060]

[0061] Method for manufacturing an anode

[0062] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to the present disclosure.

[0063] A method (300) for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may be disclosed by forming an amorphous carbon coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of metal oxide particles (S310). The step (S310) of forming an amorphous carbon coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of metal oxide particles may include a step of mixing metal oxide particles with carbon and then heat-treating to carbonize the carbon.

[0064] The average particle size (D50) of the metal oxide particles may be 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm, and the ratio of the amorphous carbon coating layer to the metal oxide particles may be 10 wt% to 80 wt%. The metal oxide particles may include Al2O3, ZrO2, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the amorphous carbon coating layer may include pitch-based carbon.

[0065] Afterwards, at least a portion of the surface of the lithium-containing cathode additive can be coated with metal oxide particles (S320). In one embodiment, the ratio of metal oxide particles to the cathode additive may be 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%.

[0066] After that, the positive active material and the positive additive can be mixed (S320). Here, the positive additive may include Li5FeO4, Li6CoO4, Li3P, Li2O, Li3N, or a combination thereof as described above. In addition, the ratio of the positive additive to the positive active material may be 5 wt% to 30 wt%.

[0067]

[0068] Positive: Positive current collector

[0069] The positive electrode may include a positive current collector. For example, a layer of positive active material may be disposed on the positive current collector to form the positive electrode.

[0070] For example, the positive current collector may include indium (In), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), stainless steel, titanium (Ti), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), lithium (Li), or an alloy thereof.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the anode current collector may include aluminum (Al).

[0072] For example, the positive current collector may include a base film and a metal substrate layer disposed on one or both sides of the base film, in the same way as the negative current collector described above.

[0073]

[0074] Anode: Anode active material layer

[0075] As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the positive active material layer may include a positive active material and a positive additive including lithium. Additionally, the positive active material layer may further include a conductive material and a binder.

[0076] For example, the positive electrode active material may include a complex oxide or phosphoric acid having lithium. The positive electrode active material may include LiMO2 (M is Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, rare earth elements or a combination thereof), LFP, LMFP, LiM2O4 (M is Ti, V, Mn or a combination thereof) or a combination thereof.

[0077] As a positive electrode active material, a compound capable of reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium (a lithated intercalation compound) may be used. Specifically, one or more composite oxides of lithium and a metal selected from cobalt, manganese, nickel, and combinations thereof may be used. The composite oxide may be a lithium transition metal composite oxide, and specific examples include a lithium nickel-based oxide, a lithium cobalt-based oxide, a lithium manganese-based oxide, a lithium iron phosphate-based compound, a cobalt-free nickel-manganese-based oxide, or a combination thereof.

[0078] As an example, a compound represented by any one of the following chemical formulas may be used. Li a A 1-b X b O 2-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05), Li a Mn 2-b X b O 4-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05), Li a Ni 1-b-c Co b X c O 2-α D α (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2), Li a Ni 1-b-c Mn b X c O 2-α D α(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2), Li a Ni b Co c L 1 d G e O2(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.9, 0≤c≤0.5, 0≤d≤0.5, 0≤e≤0.1), Li a NiG b O2(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1), Li a CoG b O2(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1), Li a Mn 1-b G b O2(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1), Li a Mn2GbO4(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1), Li a Mn 1-g G g PO4(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤g≤0.5), Li (3-f) Fe2(PO4)3(0≤f≤2), Li a FePO4(0.90≤a≤1.8).

[0079] In the chemical formula, A is Ni, Co, Mn, or a combination thereof; X is Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, a rare earth element, or a combination thereof; D is O, F, S, P, or a combination thereof; G is Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V, or a combination thereof; and L 1 is Mn, Al, or a combination thereof.

[0080] For example, lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) can be used as the positive electrode active material.

[0081] For example, the cathode active material may be a high-nickel cathode active material in which the nickel content relative to 100 mol% of the metal excluding lithium in a lithium transition metal composite oxide is 80 mol% or more, 85 mol% or more, 90 mol% or more, 91 mol% or more, or 94 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less. The high-nickel cathode active material can achieve high capacity and can be applied to high-capacity, high-density lithium secondary batteries.

[0082] For example, the lithium transition metal oxide may be a compound represented by the following chemical formula 1:

[0083]

[0084] <Chemical Formula 1>

[0085] Li a Ni x Co y M z O 2-b A b

[0086]

[0087] In Chemical Formula 1, 1.0≤a≤1.2, 0≤b≤0.2, 0.6≤x<1, 0≤y≤0.3, 0 <z≤0.3, x+y+z=1, M은 망간(Mn), 바나듐(V), 마그네슘(Mg), 갈륨(Ga), 실리콘(Si), 텅스텐(W), 몰리브덴(Mo), 철(Fe), 크롬(Cr), 구리(Cu), 아연(Zn), 티타늄(Ti), 알루미늄(Al) 및 보론(B)으로 이루어진 군으로부터 선택된 하나 이상이고, A는 F, S, Cl, Br 또는 이들의 조합이다.

[0088] In Chemical Formula 1, for example, 0.7≤x<1, 0 <y≤0.3, 0<z≤0.3, 0.8≤x<1, 0<y≤0.3, 0<z≤0.3, 0.8≤x<1, 0<y≤0.2, 0<z≤0.2, 0.83≤x<0.97, 0<y≤0.15, 0<z≤0.15, 또는 0.85≤x<0.95, 0<y≤0.1, 0<z≤0.1일 수 있다.

[0089] For example, the lithium transition metal oxide may be at least one of the compounds represented by the following chemical formulas 2 and 3:

[0090]

[0091] <Chemical Formula 2>

[0092] LiNi x Co y Mn z O2

[0093]

[0094] In Chemical Formula 2, 0.6≤x≤0.95, 0 <y≤0.2, 0<z≤0.1이다. 예를 들어, 0.7≤x≤0.95, 0<y≤0.3, 0<z≤0.3이다.

[0095]

[0096] <Chemical Formula 3>

[0097] LiNi x Co y Al z O2

[0098]

[0099] In Chemical Formula 3, 0.6≤x≤0.95, 0 <y≤0.2, 0<z≤0.1이다. 예를 들어, 0.7≤x≤0.95, 0<y≤0.3, 0<z≤0.3이다. 예를 들어, 0.8≤x≤0.95, 0<y≤0.3, 0<z≤0.3이다. 예를 들어, 0.82≤x≤0.95, 0<y≤0.15, 0<z≤0.15이다. 예를 들어, 0.85≤x≤0.95, 0<y≤0.1, 0<z≤0.1이다.

[0100] For example, lithium transition metal oxides are LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O2, LiNi 0.88 Co 0.08 Mn 0.04O2 , LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Mn 0.05O2 , LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O2, LiNi 0.88 Co 0.1 Mn 0.02O2, LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05O2 , LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.2O2 or LiNi 0.88 Co 0.1 Al 0.02O2 It could be.

[0101] For example, the positive electrode active material may be one having a coating layer on the surface of a lithium transition metal oxide, or a mixture of a lithium transition metal oxide and a lithium transition metal oxide having a coating layer may be used.

[0102] For example, the coating layer may include a coating element compound of an oxide, hydroxide, oxyhydroxide, oxycarbonate, or hydroxycarbonate of a coating element.

[0103] For example, the compound forming the coating layer may be amorphous or crystalline. The coating elements included in the coating layer may include Mg, Al, Co, K, Na, Ca, Si, Ti, V, Sn, Ge, Ga, B, As, Zr, or mixtures thereof. For the coating layer formation process, any coating method may be used as long as the coating can be applied to the lithium transition metal oxide using the coating elements in a manner that does not adversely affect the physical properties of the cathode active material (e.g., spray coating, immersion method, etc.).

[0104] The content of the positive active material is 90% to 99.5% by weight with respect to 100% by weight of the positive active material layer, and the content of the binder and the conductive material may each be 0.5% to 5% by weight with respect to 100% by weight of the positive active material layer.

[0105] The binder serves to adhere the positive active material particles well to each other and also to adhere the positive active material well to the current collector. Representative examples of binders include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, diacetylcellulose, polyvinyl chloride, carboxylated polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polymers containing ethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene-butadiene rubber, (meth)acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, epoxy resin, (meth)acrylic resin, polyester resin, nylon, etc.

[0106] A conductive material is used to impart conductivity to an electrode, and any electronically conductive material that does not cause chemical changes can be used in the battery being constructed. Examples of conductive materials include carbon-based materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, and carbon nanotube; metal-based materials in the form of metal powder or metal fibers containing copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, etc.; conductive polymers such as polyphenylene derivatives; or mixtures thereof.

[0107]

[0108] lithium secondary battery

[0109] A lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode for the lithium secondary battery of the present invention as described above. The positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator may be impregnated with or in contact with an electrolyte. In a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment, the negative electrode may be free of a negative electrode active material layer prior to charging. Alternatively, the electrical capacity of the negative electrode may be less than 100% of the electrical capacity of the positive electrode.

[0110] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an excess amount of lithium from the positive electrode additive is supplementarily supplied to the negative electrode during the charging and discharging process of the secondary battery, thereby improving the capacity retention rate, lifespan characteristics, and thermal stability of the secondary battery.

[0111] The present disclosure describes primarily lithium metal secondary batteries but is not limited thereto; for example, it may be a lithium primary battery, and may also be applied to lithium-sulfur batteries, lithium-air batteries, etc. The aforementioned positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator may be laminated or wound and accommodated in a case, and the case may be classified into cylindrical, prismatic, thin-film, coin, pin, etc.

[0112] FIGS. 3 to 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a lithium secondary battery according to one embodiment, where FIG. 3 is cylindrical, FIG. 4 is prismatic, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are pouch-type batteries. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the lithium secondary battery (1) includes a battery structure (7, electrode assembly) having a separator (4, separator) interposed between a positive electrode (3) and a negative electrode (2), and a case (5) in which the battery structure (7) is housed. The positive electrode (3), the negative electrode (2), and the separator (4) may be impregnated with an electrolyte (not shown). The lithium secondary battery (1) may include an assembly (6, sealing member) that seals the case (5) as in FIG. 3. Additionally, in FIG. 4, the lithium secondary battery (1) may include a positive lead tab (3') and a positive terminal (3"), a negative lead tab (2') and a negative terminal (2"). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lithium secondary battery (1) may include electrode tabs (70), namely a positive electrode tab (71) and a negative electrode tab (72), which serve as electrical passages for inducing current formed in the battery structure (7) to the outside.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 3, a lithium secondary battery (1) according to one embodiment includes the anode (3), the cathode (2), and the separator (4) described above. The anode (3), the cathode (2), and the separator (4) are wound or folded to form a battery structure (7). The formed battery structure (7) is housed in a case (5). An electrolyte is injected into the case (5) and sealed with a cap assembly (6) to complete the lithium secondary battery (1). The case (5) is cylindrical but is not necessarily limited to this shape and may be, for example, prismatic, thin film, etc.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 4, a lithium secondary battery (1) according to one embodiment includes a positive electrode (3), the aforementioned negative electrode (2), and a separator (4). The positive electrode (3), the negative electrode (2), and the separator (4) are wound, folded, or stacked to form a battery structure (7). The formed battery structure (7) is housed in a case (5). An electrolyte is injected into the case (5), cross-linked, and sealed to complete the lithium secondary battery (1). The case (5) is prismatic, but is not necessarily limited to this shape and may be, for example, cylindrical, thin film, etc. A positive lead tab (3') and a positive terminal (3") are electrically connected to the positive electrode (3). A negative lead tab (2') and a negative terminal (2") are electrically connected to the negative electrode (2).

[0115] Referring to FIG. 5, a lithium secondary battery (1) according to one embodiment includes a positive electrode (3), the aforementioned negative electrode (2), and a separator (4). A separator (4) is disposed between the positive electrode (3) and the negative electrode (2), and the positive electrode (3), the negative electrode (2), and the separator (4) are wound or folded to form a battery structure (7). The formed battery structure (7) is housed in a case (5). It may include an electrode tab (70) that serves as an electrical path for inducing the current formed in the battery structure (7) to the outside. An electrolyte is injected into the case (5) and sealed to complete the lithium secondary battery (1). The case (5) is prismatic but is not necessarily limited to this shape and may be, for example, cylindrical, thin film, etc.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 6, a lithium secondary battery (1) according to one embodiment includes a positive electrode (3), the aforementioned negative electrode (2), and a separator (4). An electrolyte containing the separator (4) is disposed between the positive electrode (3) and the negative electrode (2) to form a battery structure. For example, the battery structure (7) is stacked in a bicell structure and then housed in a case (5). It may include a positive electrode tab (71) and a negative electrode tab (72) that serve as electrical pathways for inducing the current formed in the battery structure (7) to the outside. The electrolyte is injected into the case (5) and sealed to complete the lithium secondary battery (1). The case (5) is prismatic but is not necessarily limited to this shape and may be, for example, cylindrical, thin film, etc.

[0117] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case (5) may be configured in various shapes such as circular or pouch type. For example, the pouch-type lithium secondary battery corresponds to the lithium secondary battery (1) of FIGS. 3 to 6 in which a pouch is used as the case (5). The pouch-type lithium secondary battery includes one or more battery structures (7). A separator (4) is disposed between the positive electrode (3) and the negative electrode (2) to form the battery structure (7). The battery structure (7) is stacked in a bicell structure, then impregnated with an electrolyte, and then housed and sealed in a pouch to complete the pouch-type lithium secondary battery.

[0118] Specifically, the battery structure (7) including the aforementioned positive electrode (3), negative electrode (2), and separator (4) is simply stacked and contained in a pouch, or wound into a jelly roll shape or folded and contained in a pouch. Subsequently, an electrolyte is injected into the pouch and sealed to complete the lithium secondary battery (1).

[0119] The case (5) may be made of metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel-plated steel, or a laminate film or plastic that constitutes the pouch.

[0120] Lithium secondary battery (1) has excellent lifespan characteristics and high rate characteristics, so it is used in, for example, electric vehicles (EV). For example, it is used in hybrid vehicles such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). In addition, it is used in fields where a large amount of power storage is required. For example, it is used in electric bicycles, power tools, etc.

[0121] A plurality of lithium secondary batteries (1) are stacked to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules form a battery pack. Such a battery pack can be used in any device requiring high capacity and high output. For example, it can be used in laptops, smartphones, electric vehicles, etc. A battery module includes, for example, a plurality of batteries and a frame that holds them.

[0122] A battery pack includes, for example, a plurality of battery modules and a bus bar connecting them. The battery modules and / or battery pack may further include a cooling device. A plurality of battery packs are controlled by a battery management system. The battery management system includes a battery pack and a battery control device connected to the battery pack.

[0123]

[0124] Cathode: Cathode current collector

[0125] The negative current collector may not include a negative active material layer. In a negative current collector that does not include a negative active material layer, lithium metal may be plated onto the negative current collector by charging. The plated metal layer may comprise plated lithium, lithium metal foil, lithium metal powder, lithium alloy foil, lithium alloy powder, an organic compound containing lithium, or a combination thereof. The metal layer may comprise non-fibrous lithium, non-needle lithium, plate lithium, or any combination thereof. The lithium alloy contains lithium and a first metal, and the first metal may include indium (In), silicon (Si), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, cesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, yttrium, bismuth, tantalum, hafnium, barium, vanadium, strontium, lanthanum, or a combination thereof.

[0126] The material constituting the negative electrode current collector can be any material that does not react with lithium, that is, a material that does not form an alloy or compound with lithium and possesses conductivity. The metal substrate is, for example, a metal or an alloy. The metal substrate may be composed of, for example, indium (In), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), stainless steel, titanium (Ti), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), germanium (Ge), lithium (Li), or alloys thereof. The electrode current collector may have a form selected from, for example, a sheet, foil, film, plate, porous body, mesoporous body, through-hole containing body, polygonal ring body, mesh body, foam, and nonwoven body, but is not necessarily limited to these forms and any form used in the relevant technical field is possible.

[0127] The negative current collector comprises, for example, a first metal substrate. The first metal substrate comprises the first metal as a main component or is composed of the first metal. The first metal substrate comprises the first metal as a main component or is composed of the first metal. The content of the first metal included in the first metal substrate is, for example, 90 weight% or more, 95 weight% or more, 99 weight% or more, or 99.9 weight% or more with respect to the total weight of the first metal substrate. The first metal substrate may be composed of, for example, a material that does not react with lithium, that is, does not form an alloy and / or compound with lithium.

[0128] The first metal may be, for example, copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stainless steel (SUS), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co), but is not necessarily limited to these; any metal used as a current collector in the relevant technical field may be used. The first metal substrate may be composed of, for example, one of the metals described above, or may be composed of an alloy of two or more metals. The first metal substrate is, for example, in the form of a sheet or foil.

[0129] The negative current collector may further include a coating layer (not shown) containing a second metal on a first metal substrate.

[0130] The cathode current collector may include, for example, a first metal substrate and a coating layer disposed on the first metal substrate and comprising a second metal. The second metal has a higher Mohs hardness than the first metal. That is, since the coating layer comprising the second metal is harder than the substrate comprising the first metal, deterioration of the first metal substrate can be prevented. The Mohs hardness of the material constituting the first metal substrate is, for example, 5.5 or less. The Mohs hardness of the first metal is, for example, 5.5 or less, 5.0 or less, 4.5 or less, 4.0 or less, 3.5 or less, or 3.0 or less. The Mohs hardness of the first metal may be, for example, 2.0 to 6.0. The coating layer comprises the second metal. The coating layer may, for example, comprise the second metal as a main component or be composed of the second metal. The content of the second metal included in the coating layer is, for example, 90% by weight or more, 95% by weight or more, 99% by weight or more, or 99.9% by weight or more with respect to the total weight of the coating layer. The coating layer may be composed of, for example, a material that does not react with lithium, that is, does not form an alloy and / or compound with lithium. The Mohs hardness of the material constituting the coating layer is, for example, 6.0 or more. For example, the Mohs hardness of the second metal is 6.0 or more, 6.5 or more, 7.0 or more, 7.5 or more, 8.0 or more, 8.5 or more, or 9.0 or more. The Mohs hardness of the second metal may be, for example, 6.0 to 12. If the Mohs hardness of the second metal is excessively low, it may be difficult to suppress the deterioration of the negative electrode current collector. If the Mohs hardness of the second metal is excessively high, processing may not be easy. The second metal is one or more selected from, for example, titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), iridium (Ir), vanadium (V), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), tungsten (W), chromium (Cr), boron (B), ruthenium (Ru), and rhodium (Rh).The coating layer may be composed of, for example, one of the metals described above, or an alloy of two or more metals. The difference in Mohs hardness between the first metal included in the first metal substrate and the second metal included in the coating layer may be, for example, 2 or more, 2.5 or more, 3 or more, 3.5 or more, or 4 or more. By having such a difference in Mohs hardness between the first metal and the second metal, the deterioration of the negative current collector can be suppressed more effectively. The coating layer may have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more layers. The coating layer may have a two-layer structure including, for example, a first coating layer and a second coating layer. The coating layer may have a three-layer structure including, for example, a first coating layer, a second coating layer, and a third coating layer. The thickness of the coating layer may be, for example, 10 nm to 1 μm, 50 nm to 500 nm, 50 nm to 200 nm, or 50 nm to 150 nm. The coating layer may be deposited on the first metal substrate by, for example, vacuum deposition, sputtering, plating, etc., but is not necessarily limited to these methods; any method capable of forming a coating layer in the relevant technical field is possible.

[0131] For example, the cathode current collector may have a reduced thickness compared to a conventional cathode current collector. Accordingly, the cathode according to the present disclosure is distinguished from a conventional electrode comprising a thick film current collector by including, for example, a thin film current collector.

[0132] As a result, the energy density of a lithium metal secondary battery employing such an electrode is increased. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector may be, for example, less than 15 μm, 14.5 μm or less, or 14 μm or less. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector may be, for example, 0.1 μm to less than 15 μm, 1 μm to 14.5 μm, 2 μm to 14 μm, 3 μm to 14 μm, 5 μm to 14 μm, or 10 μm to 14 μm.

[0133] The cathode current collector may have a form selected from, for example, a sheet, foil, film, plate, porous body, mesoporous body, through-hole containing body, polygonal ring body, mesh body, foam, and nonwoven body, but is not necessarily limited to these forms, and any form used in the relevant technical field is possible.

[0134] The negative current collector may include, for example, a base film and a metal substrate layer disposed on one or both sides of the base film. The negative current collector may have a structure comprising a substrate, wherein the substrate may include, for example, a base film and a metal substrate layer disposed on one or both sides of the base film. An intermediate layer may be additionally disposed on the metal substrate layer.

[0135] For example, the base film may include, for example, a polymer. The polymer may be, for example, a thermoplastic polymer. The polymer may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyimide (PI), or a combination thereof. By including a thermoplastic polymer in the base film, the base film may melt upon the occurrence of a short circuit, thereby suppressing a sudden increase in current. The base film may be, for example, an insulator.

[0136] The metal substrate layer may include, for example, copper (Cu), stainless steel, titanium (Ti), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), or alloys thereof. The metal substrate layer can act as an electrochemical fuse and cut off upon overcurrent to perform a short-circuit prevention function. The limit current and maximum current can be controlled by adjusting the thickness of the metal substrate layer. The metal substrate layer may be plated or deposited on a base film. As the thickness of the metal substrate layer decreases, the limit current and / or maximum current of the negative electrode current collector decreases, thereby improving the stability of the lithium metal secondary battery during a short circuit.

[0137] A lead tab may be added to the metal substrate layer for external connection. The lead tab may be welded to the metal substrate layer or the metal substrate layer / base film laminate by means of ultrasonic welding, laser welding, spot welding, etc. During welding, the base film and / or the metal substrate layer may melt, thereby electrically connecting the metal substrate layer to the lead tab. To make the weld between the metal substrate layer and the lead tab more robust, a metal chip may be added between the metal substrate layer and the lead tab. The metal chip may be a thin sheet of the same material as the metal of the metal substrate layer. The metal chip may be, for example, metal foil, metal mesh, etc. The metal chip may be, for example, aluminum foil, copper foil, SUS foil, etc. The lead tab may be welded to the metal chip / metal substrate layer laminate or the metal chip / metal substrate layer / base film laminate by placing the metal chip on the metal substrate layer and then welding it to the lead tab. During welding, the base film, metal layer, and / or metal chip may melt, allowing the metal layer or the metal layer / metal chip laminate to be electrically connected to the lead tab. A metal chip and / or lead tab may be added to a portion of the metal substrate layer. The thickness of the base film may be, for example, 1 µm to 50 µm, 1.5 µm to 50 µm, 1.5 µm to 40 µm, or 1 µm to 30 µm. By having the base film within this thickness range, the weight of the cathode assembly can be reduced more effectively. The melting point of the base film may be, for example, 100 to 300 degrees (Celsius), 100 to 250 degrees (Celsius), or 100 to 200 degrees (Celsius). By having the base film within this melting point range, the base film can melt during the welding process of the lead tab and be easily bonded to the lead tab. To improve the adhesion between the base film and the metal substrate layer, a surface treatment such as corona treatment may be performed on the base film.The thickness of the metal substrate layer may be, for example, 0.01 μm to 3 μm, 0.1 μm to 3 μm, 0.1 μm to 2 μm, or 0.1 μm to 1 μm. By having the metal substrate layer within this thickness range, the stability of the cathode can be ensured while maintaining conductivity. The thickness of the metal piece may be, for example, 2 μm to 10 μm, 2 μm to 7 μm, or 4 μm to 6 μm. By having the metal piece within this thickness range, the connection between the metal layer and the lead tab can be performed more easily. By having the cathode current collector with this structure, the weight of the electrode can be reduced and, consequently, the energy density can be improved.

[0138] According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material layer may be free on the negative electrode current collector before performing charge and discharge. For example, a lithium metal layer may be free on the negative electrode current collector before performing charge and discharge.

[0139] According to one embodiment, a lithium metal layer including a plate-shaped lithium metal thin film may be disposed on a negative electrode current collector before performing charging and discharging.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the cathode may further include an interlayer disposed between the cathode current collector and the lithium metal layer.

[0141] According to one embodiment, the interlayer may be placed directly on, for example, one or both sides of the negative electrode current collector. Therefore, no other layer may be placed between the negative electrode current collector and the interlayer. By placing the interlayer directly on one or both sides of the negative electrode current collector, the bonding strength between the negative electrode current collector and the lithium metal layer may be further improved.

[0142] The thickness of the intermediate layer (not shown) may be, for example, 30% or less of the thickness of the cathode current collector. The thickness of the intermediate layer (not shown) is, for example, 0.01% to 30%, 0.1% to 30%, 0.5% to 30%, 1% to 25%, 1% to 20%, 1% to 15%, 1% to 10%, 1% to 5%, or 1% to 3% of the thickness of the cathode current collector. The thickness of the intermediate layer is, for example, 10 nm to 5 µm, 50 nm to 5 µm, 200 nm to 4 µm, 500 nm to 3 µm, 500 nm to 2 µm, 500 nm to 1.5 µm, or 700 nm to 1.3 µm.

[0143] By having the intermediate layer have a thickness within this range, the bonding strength between the cathode current collector and the metal layer is further improved, and the increase in interfacial resistance can be suppressed.

[0144] For example, the intermediate layer may include a binder. By including a binder in the intermediate layer, the bonding strength between the negative current collector and the lithium metal layer can be further improved. The binder included in the intermediate layer is, for example, a conductive binder or a non-conductive binder.

[0145] Conductive binders are, for example, ion-conducting binders and / or electronic-conducting binders. Binders that possess both ion conductivity and electronic conductivity may belong to both ion-conducting binders and electronic-conducting binders.

[0146] Ion-conducting binders are, for example, polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVDF-HFP), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), polypyrrole (PPY), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyaniline, and polyacetylene, etc. Ion-conducting binders may include polar functional groups. Ion-conducting binders containing polar functional groups are, for example, Nafion, Aquivion, Flemion, These include Gore, Aciplex, Morgane ADP, sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) (SPAEKKS), sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) (SPAEK), poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] (SPBIBI), poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), and lithium 9,10-diphenylanthracene-2-sulfonate (DPASLi+).The electronically conductive binder is, for example, polyacetylene, polythiophene, polypyrrole, poly(p-phenylene), poly(phenylenevinylene), poly(phenylenesulfide), polyaniline, etc. The intermediate layer may be, for example, a conductive layer containing a conductive polymer.

[0147] The binder included in the intermediate layer may be, for example, a fluorine-based binder. The fluorine-based binder included in the intermediate layer may be, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The intermediate layer may be disposed on the cathode current collector, for example, dry or wet. The intermediate layer may be, for example, a binding layer containing a binder.

[0148] The intermediate layer may additionally include, for example, a carbon-based conductive material. By including the carbon-based conductive material, the intermediate layer may be, for example, a conductive layer. The intermediate layer may be, for example, a conductive layer including a binder and a carbon-based conductive material.

[0149] The intermediate layer can be disposed on the cathode current collector in a dry manner by deposition, for example, CVD, PVD, etc. The intermediate layer can be disposed on the cathode current collector in a wet manner by, for example, spin coating, dip coating, etc. The intermediate layer can be disposed on the cathode current collector by, for example, depositing a carbon-based conductive material on the cathode current collector by deposition. The dry-coated intermediate layer consists of a carbon-based conductive material and may not contain a binder. Alternatively, the intermediate layer can be disposed on the cathode current collector by, for example, coating a composition comprising a carbon-based conductive material, a binder, and a solvent onto the surface of the cathode current collector and drying it. The intermediate layer may have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure comprising multiple layers.

[0150]

[0151] Cathode: Lithium metal layer

[0152] A lithium secondary battery may further include a metal layer disposed between a negative electrode current collector and an electrolyte. For example, the lithium metal layer may include lithium metal or a lithium alloy. For example, the lithium metal layer may be a negative electrode active material layer. For example, the lithium metal layer may be a lithium electrodeposited layer.

[0153] For example, a lithium metal layer can be formed as lithium ions contained in the electrolyte are electrodeposited onto the negative current collector while the lithium secondary battery is being charged. For example, the lithium metal layer may include a lithium alloy and lithium metal. For instance, the lithium alloy included in the lithium metal layer weakens the reactivity of the lithium metal, thereby effectively preventing adverse reactions between the lithium metal layer and the electrolyte. Additionally, the lithium metal layer has excellent electrical conductivity, which can reduce the internal resistance of the lithium secondary battery containing it. Accordingly, the lithium secondary battery containing the lithium metal layer can improve not only its lifespan characteristics but also its charge / discharge efficiency.

[0154] According to one embodiment, the lithium metal layer may comprise, for example, lithium foil, lithium powder, plated lithium, a carbon-based material, or a combination thereof. For example, the lithium metal layer may comprise lithium foil. In this case, the lithium metal layer may be a negative electrode active material layer. For example, the lithium metal layer may be introduced by coating a slurry containing lithium powder and a binder, etc., onto a negative electrode current collector. For example, the binder may be a fluorine-based binder such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

[0155] According to one embodiment, it may comprise only lithium metal or lithium alloy electrodeposited with a lithium metal layer. In this case, the lithium metal layer may be a lithium electrodeposited layer.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the lithium metal layer may not include a carbon-based negative electrode active material. Accordingly, the lithium metal layer may be composed of a metal-based negative electrode active material.

[0157] For example, the thickness of the lithium metal layer may be, for example, 0.1 μm to 100 μm, 0.1 μm to 80 μm, 1 μm to 80 μm, or 10 μm to 80 μm, but is not necessarily limited to these ranges and can be adjusted according to the required shape, capacity, etc. of the lithium secondary battery. If the thickness of the lithium metal layer increases excessively, the structural stability of the lithium secondary battery may decrease and side reactions may increase. If the thickness of the lithium metal layer is excessively small, the energy density of the lithium metal secondary battery may decrease.

[0158] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the lithium foil included in the lithium metal layer may be, for example, 1 μm to 50 μm, 1 μm to 30 μm, or 10 μm to 30 μm, or 10 μm to 80 μm. By having the lithium foil within this range of thickness, the lifespan characteristics of the lithium metal secondary battery can be further improved.

[0159] According to one embodiment, the particle size of the lithium powder included in the lithium metal layer may be, for example, 0.1 μm to 3 μm, 0.1 μm to 2 μm, or 0.1 μm to 1 μm. By having the lithium powder have a thickness within this range, the lifespan characteristics of the lithium secondary battery can be further improved.

[0160]

[0161] Cathode: Lithium host layer

[0162] The lithium host layer may include a carbon-based material. The lithium host layer may further include a conductive material and / or a binder. For example, the lithium host layer may be composed solely of a carbon-based material. Alternatively, the lithium host layer may be composed of a carbon-based material and a conductive material. Alternatively, the lithium host layer may be composed of a carbon-based material and a binder. Alternatively, the lithium host layer may be composed of a carbon-based material, a conductive material, and a binder.

[0163] The binder included in the lithium host layer may be, for example, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, etc., but is not necessarily limited to these, and any binder used in the relevant technical field is acceptable. The binder may be composed of a single binder or multiple different binders.

[0164] The conductive material included in the lithium host layer is used to impart conductivity to the electrode, and any electronically conductive material that does not cause chemical changes can be used in the battery being constructed. Specific examples include carbon-based materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotube; metal-based materials in the form of metal powder or metal fibers including copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, etc.; conductive polymers such as polyphenylene derivatives; or mixtures thereof.

[0165] In one embodiment, the lithium host layer may comprise 90% to 99% by weight of a carbon-based material, 0.5% to 5% by weight of a binder, and 0% to 5% by weight of a conductive material. However, it is not limited thereto, and for example, in the lithium host layer, the conductive material may be 0.3% to 10% by weight of the total weight of the carbon-based material and the binder.

[0166] In one embodiment, the lithium host layer comprises a carbon-based material, a conductive material, and a binder, and the total density of the carbon-based material, the conductive material, and the binder may be 0.6 g / cc to 3 g / cc. However, it is not limited thereto and may be, for example, 0.8 g / cc to 1 g / cc.

[0167] The lithium host layer may include one or more lithium hosts. The lithium host layer may be composed of, for example, a single lithium host. The lithium host layer may be composed of, for example, a combination of multiple lithium hosts.

[0168] In one embodiment, the lithium host may include a carbon-based lithium host, a metal-based lithium host, or a combination thereof.

[0169] The carbon-based lithium host may include, for example, amorphous carbon, crystalline carbon, porous carbon, non-porous carbon, or a combination thereof. The carbon-based lithium host may include, for example, carbon black (CB) (e.g., acetylene black (AB), furnace black (FB), ketjen black (KB)), graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon nanobelt, carbon paper, carbon sheet, carbon foam, or a combination thereof. The carbon-based lithium host may include, for example, a carbon fiber cloth, a carbonized MOF, a carbonized porous MOF, a graphene foam, a carbon nanofiber (CNF), a hollow carbon nanocube, a carbon core / shell array, a porous carbon flake, a carbon rod array, 3D nanoporous graphene, a crumple graphene ball, a graphene ball containing metal oxide particles, a carbon granule, a carbon fiber framework, a carbon matrix, or a combination thereof.

[0170] The carbon-based lithium host may further include a dopant doped into the carbon-based lithium host. By including the dopant, the mechanical durability, electrochemical stability, and reversibility of the lithium precipitation reaction of the carbon-based lithium host can be improved. Consequently, the lifespan characteristics of a lithium secondary battery containing the carbon-based lithium host can be improved.

[0171] A dopant can be doped into a carbon-based lithium host. A doped carbon-based lithium host can be obtained by doping a dopant into a carbon-based lithium host. In one embodiment, the dopant can be doped into the surface of the carbon-based lithium host or the surface of the carbon-based lithium host structure.

[0172] The dopant may include heteroatoms with lithium affinity. The heteroatoms may include, for example, nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), boron (B), sulfur (S), fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), or a combination thereof. The lithium affinity of the doped carbon-based lithium host may be enhanced by doping the carbon-based lithium host with the dopant. In one embodiment, two or more types of heteroatoms may be co-doped into the carbon-based lithium host to further enhance the electrochemical performance of the carbon-based lithium host and improve lithium affinity.

[0173] In one embodiment, the heteroatom dopant may be 1% to 5% by weight, 1% to 4% by weight, 1% to 3% by weight, 1% to 2% by weight, 2% to 5% by weight, 3% to 5% by weight, 4% to 5% by weight, or 2% to 3% by weight of the total weight of the lithium host or lithium host layer.

[0174] As the dopant content falls within the aforementioned range, the dopant can be uniformly doped onto the surface of the lithium host or the surface of the lithium host structure. Accordingly, lithium can be uniformly electrodeposited onto the surface of the lithium host or the surface of the lithium host structure during the charging and discharging process of the lithium secondary battery.

[0175] Metallic lithium hosts may include, for example, metals, metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal nitrides, metal nitrates, metal carbides, metal-organic frameworks, metal chalcoganeides, or combinations thereof. Metals may include, for example, copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stainless steel (SUS), titanium (Ti), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), or alloys thereof.

[0176] Metal oxides may include, for example, copper oxide, zinc oxide, nickel oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, platinum oxide, manganese oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, or a combination thereof.

[0177] Metal phosphates may include, for example, copper phosphate, nickel phosphate, titanium phosphate, iron phosphate, cobalt phosphate, ruthenium phosphate, iridium phosphate, platinum phosphate, manganese phosphate, tin phosphate, indium phosphate, or combinations thereof.

[0178] Metal nitrides may include, for example, titanium nitride, tungsten nitride, thallium nitride, titanium-aluminum nitride, thallium-silicon nitride, titanium-silicon nitride, titanium-aluminum nitride, ruthenium-titanium nitride, or combinations thereof.

[0179] Metal nitrates may include, for example, copper nitrate, nickel nitrate, titanium nitrate, iron nitrate, cobalt nitrate, ruthenium nitrate, iridium nitrate, platinum nitrate, manganese nitrate, tin nitrate, indium nitrate, or combinations thereof.

[0180] Metal carbides may include, for example, copper carbide, nickel carbide, titanium carbide, iron carbide, cobalt carbide, ruthenium carbide, iridium carbide, platinum carbide, manganese carbide, tin carbide, indium carbide, or combinations thereof.

[0181] The metal-organic framework (MOF) may include, for example, Co-NC (Co embedded N-doped carbon, ZIF-67), Zn-NC (Zn embedded N-doped carbon, ZIF-8), or a combination thereof.

[0182] Metal chalcogenides may include, for example, molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum diselenide, molybdenum ditelluride, tungsten disulfide, tungsten diselenide, tungsten ditelluride, or combinations thereof.

[0183] The metal-based lithium host may further include a dopant doped into the metal-based lithium host. By including the dopant in the metal-based lithium host, the mechanical durability, electrochemical stability, and reversibility of the lithium precipitation reaction of the metal-based lithium host can be improved. Consequently, the lifespan characteristics of a lithium secondary battery containing the metal-based lithium host can be improved.

[0184] A dopant can be doped into a metallic lithium host. A doped metallic lithium host can be obtained by doping a dopant into a metallic lithium host. In one embodiment, the dopant can be doped into the surface of the metallic lithium host or the surface of the metallic lithium host structure.

[0185] The dopant may be, for example, a p-type dopant or an n-type dopant. The dopant may include, for example, nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), boron (B), sulfur (S), fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), or a combination thereof. The lithium affinity of the doped metal-based lithium host may be enhanced by doping the metal-based lithium host with the dopant. In one embodiment, the electrochemical performance of the metal-based lithium host and the lithium affinity may be further enhanced by co-doping two or more types of heteroatoms into the metal-based lithium host.

[0186] The lithium host included in the lithium host layer may include, for example, a conductive lithium host, a nonconductive lithium host, or a combination thereof.

[0187] A conductive lithium host is a lithium host having electronic conductivity. The electronic conductivity of the conductive lithium host may be, for example, 1.0 × 10³ S / m or more, 1.0 × 10⁴ S / m or more, or 1.0 × 10⁵ S / m or more at 25 degrees Celsius. By including a conductive lithium host in the lithium host layer, the internal resistance of a lithium secondary battery including the lithium host layer may be reduced. The conductive lithium host may be, for example, a carbon-based lithium host, a metal-based lithium host, etc.

[0188] A non-conductive lithium host is a lithium host that does not possess electronic conductivity. The electronic conductivity of a non-conductive lithium host is, for example, 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ at 25 degrees Celsius. -3 S / m or less, 1.0×10 -4 S / m or less, or 1.0×10 -5It may be S / m or less. The structural stability of a lithium secondary battery including a lithium host layer may be improved by the lithium host layer including a non-conductive lithium host. The non-conductive lithium host may be, for example, an insulating polymer lithium host.

[0189] The lithium host layer comprises a lithium host, and the lithium host may comprise, for example, an electrochemically inert lithium host, an electrochemically active lithium host, or a combination thereof.

[0190] An electrochemically inert lithium host is a lithium host that does not react with lithium to form compounds and acts as a conductor for electron transfer and / or a acceptor for receiving electrodeposited lithium. By including an electrochemically inert lithium host in the lithium host layer, degradation of the lithium secondary battery caused by volume changes and / or changes in physical properties during charging and discharging of the lithium host can be prevented more effectively. The electrochemically inert lithium host may be a carbon-based lithium host, for example, amorphous carbon.

[0191] An electrochemically active lithium host is a lithium host that reacts with lithium to form an alloy or compound. By including an electrochemically active lithium host in the lithium host layer, non-uniform lithium electrodeposition is more effectively prevented, thereby further improving the lifespan characteristics of the lithium secondary battery. The electrochemically active lithium host may be, for example, a metal-based lithium host such as a metal oxide capable of forming an alloy or compound with lithium.

[0192] The lithium host layer may include a lithium host structure. A binder may bind a plurality of lithium hosts together to form a lithium host structure. By including a binder in the lithium host layer, the mechanical stability of the lithium host structure can be improved. By including a lithium host structure in the lithium host layer, the electrodeposition of lithium within the lithium host layer can proceed more easily and uniformly.

[0193] The lithium host structure may include, for example, a one-dimensional structure, a two-dimensional structure, a three-dimensional structure, or a combination thereof.

[0194] The one-dimensional structure may include one-dimensional nanostructures, two-dimensional microstructures, or a combination thereof. The one-dimensional nanostructure may include, for example, nanofibers, nanotubes, nanorods, or a combination thereof. The one-dimensional microstructure may include, for example, microfibers, microtubes, microrods, or a combination thereof. The lithium host one-dimensional structure may include, for example, lithium host one-dimensional nanostructures, lithium host two-dimensional microstructures, or a combination thereof.

[0195] The two-dimensional structure may include, for example, two-dimensional nanostructures, two-dimensional microstructures, or a combination thereof. The two-dimensional nanostructure may include, for example, nanosheets, nanoflakes, or a combination thereof. The two-dimensional microstructure may include, for example, microsheets, microflakes, or a combination thereof. The lithium host two-dimensional structure may include, for example, lithium host two-dimensional nanostructures, lithium host two-dimensional microstructures, or a combination thereof.

[0196] The three-dimensional structure may include, for example, a three-dimensional nanostructure, a three-dimensional microstructure, or a combination thereof. The three-dimensional nanostructure may include, for example, a nanoparticle, a nanocage, a nanomatrix, or a combination thereof. The three-dimensional microstructure may include, for example, a microparticle, a microcage, a micromatrix, or a combination thereof. The lithium host three-dimensional structure may include, for example, a lithium host three-dimensional nanostructure, a lithium host three-dimensional microstructure, or a combination thereof.

[0197] The lithium host structure may include, for example, a porous structure, a non-porous structure, or a combination thereof.

[0198] A porous structure may include one or more pores within the structure. The pores may include open pores, closed pores, or a combination thereof. The porous structure may include, for example, a microporous structure containing pores with a size of 2 nm or less, a mesoporous structure containing pores with a size of 2 nm to 50 nm, a macroporous structure containing pores with a size greater than 50 nm, or a combination thereof. The pores included in the macroporous structure may include, for example, pores with a size greater than 50 nm to 500 nm, pores with a size greater than 500 nm to 1 μm, pores with a size greater than 1 μm to 10 μm, pores with a size greater than 10 μm to 50 μm, or a combination thereof. The lithium host structure may include, for example, a particle structure, a sheet structure, a paper structure, a non-woven fabric structure, a woven fabric structure, a foam structure, a mesh structure, or a combination thereof, but is not limited to these, and any structure used as a lithium host structure in the relevant technical field is possible. The porous structure may have a pore ratio of 5 vol% to 99 vol%, 10 vol% to 99 vol%, 20 vol% to 99 vol%, or 30 vol% to 99 vol% in the total volume defined by the outer surface of the structure.

[0199] A non-porous structure is a structure that does not substantially contain pores within the structure. A non-porous structure may include, for example, non-porous particles. A non-porous structure may have a pore ratio of 1 vol% or less, 0.5 vol% or less, or 0.1 vol% or less in the total volume defined by the outer surface of the structure.

[0200] The cathode includes a cathode current collector and a lithium host layer, and may further include a lithium affinity layer disposed between the cathode current collector and the lithium host layer. The cathode current collector and the lithium host layer may be substantially the same as those described above.

[0201] The lithium-affinity layer may include a lithium-affinity material. The lithium-affinity material may include, for example, a lithium-affinity metal, a lithium-affinity metal oxide, a lithium-affinity metal phosphate, a lithium-affinity metal nitride, a lithium-affinity metal nitride, a lithium-affinity metal carbide, a lithium-affinity metal-organic framework, a lithium-affinity metal chalcoganeide, or a combination thereof.

[0202] Lithium-affinity metals may include, for example, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silicon (Si), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), or alloys thereof.

[0203] By arranging the aforementioned lithium-affinity layer between the negative electrode current collector and the lithium host layer, lithium can be uniformly electrodeposited from the bottom of the negative electrode, for example, from the portion adjacent to the lithium-affinity layer within the lithium host layer, during charging and discharging. In addition, in one embodiment, the lithium affinity per unit area is highest in the lithium-affinity layer, allowing lithium ions to move more easily to the portion adjacent to the lithium-affinity layer during charging and discharging. Accordingly, lithium electrodeposition can be performed starting from the bottom of the negative electrode.

[0204]

[0205] electrolytes

[0206] The electrolyte may be, for example, a liquid electrolyte, a solid electrolyte, a gel electrolyte, or a combination thereof.

[0207] The electrolyte is, for example, an organic electrolyte. The organic electrolyte is prepared, for example, by dissolving a lithium salt in an organic solvent. Any organic solvent used as an organic solvent in the relevant technical field may be used. Organic solvents are, for example, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, fluoroethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate, methyl isopropyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, dibutyl carbonate, benzonitrile, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, γ-butyrolactone, dioxolane, 4-methyldioxolane, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, sulfolane, dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, diethylene glycol, dimethyl ether, or mixtures thereof.

[0208] Any lithium salt used as a lithium salt in the relevant technical field is also acceptable. Examples of lithium salts include LiPF6, LiBF4, LiSbF6, LiAsF6, LiClO4, LiCF3SO3, Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiC4F9SO3, LiAlO2, LiAlCl4, and LiN(C x F 2x+1 SO2)(C y F 2y+1 The lithium salts are SO2)(1≤x≤20, 1≤y≤20), LiCl, LiI, or mixtures thereof. The concentration of the lithium salt is, for example, 0.1 M to 5.0 M.

[0209] Solid electrolytes are, for example, oxide-based solid electrolytes, sulfide-based solid electrolytes, polymeric solid electrolytes, or combinations thereof.

[0210] Solid electrolytes are, for example, oxide-based solid electrolytes. Oxide-based solid electrolytes are Li 1+x+y Al x Ti 2-x Si y P 3-y O 12(0 <x<2, 0≤y<3), BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3(PLZT)(O≤x<1, O≤y<1), PB(Mg3Nb 2 / 3 )O3-PbTiO3(PMN-PT), HfO2, SrTiO3, SnO2, CeO2, Na2O, MgO, NiO, CaO, BaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, Li3PO4, Li x Ti y (PO4)3(0 <x<2, 0<y<3), Li x Al y Ti z (PO4)3(0 <x<2, 0<y<1, 0<z<3), Li 1+x+y (Al, Ga) x (Ti, Ge) 2-x Si y P 3-y O 12 (0≤x≤1 0≤y≤1), Li x La y TiO3(0 <x<2, 0<y<3), Li2O, LiOH, Li2CO3, LiAlO2, Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2-P2O5-TiO2-GeO2, Li 3+x La3M2O 12 It is one or more selected from (M = Te, Nb, or Zr, where x is an integer from 1 to 10). The solid electrolyte is produced by sintering or the like. For example, an oxide-based solid electrolyte is Li7La3Zr2O 12 (LLZO) and Li 3+x La3Zr 2-a MaO 12 It is a garnet-type solid electrolyte selected from (M doped LLZO, M=Ga, W, Nb, Ta, or Al, x is an integer from 1 to 10).

[0211] Sulfide-based solid electrolytes may comprise, for example, lithium sulfide, silicon sulfide, phosphorus sulfide, boron sulfide, or combinations thereof. Sulfide-based solid electrolyte particles may comprise Li2S, P2S5, SiS2, GeS2, B2S3, or combinations thereof. Sulfide-based solid electrolyte particles may be Li2S or P2S5. Sulfide-based solid electrolyte particles have high lithium ion conductivity compared to other inorganic compounds. For example, sulfide-based solid electrolytes comprise Li2S and P2S5. When the sulfide solid electrolyte material constituting the sulfide-based solid electrolyte comprises Li2S-P2S5, the mixed molar ratio of Li2S to P2S5 may be, for example, in the range of about 50:50 to about 90:10. Additionally, Li3PO4, halogens, halogen compounds, Li 2+2x Zn 1-x GeO4("LISICON", 0≤x<1), Li 3+y PO 4-x N x ("LIPON", 0 <x<4, 0<y<3), Li 3.25 Ge 0.25 P 0.75 An inorganic solid electrolyte prepared by adding S4 ("ThioLISICON"), Li2O-Al2O3-TiO2-P2O5 ("LATP"), etc., to an inorganic solid electrolyte of Li2S-P2S5, SiS2, GeS2, B2S3, or a combination thereof can be used as a sulfide solid electrolyte. Non-limiting examples of sulfide solid electrolyte materials include Li2S-P2S5, Li2S-P2S5-LiX (X = halogen element), Li2S-P2S5-Li2O, Li2S-P2S5-Li2O-LiI, Li2S-SiS2, Li2S-SiS2-LiI, Li2S-SiS2-LiBr, Li2S-SiS2-LiCl, Li2S-SiS2-B2S3-LiI, Li2S-SiS2-P2S5-LiI, Li2S-B2S3, Li2S-P2S5-ZmSn (0 <m<10, 0<n<10, Z=Ge, Zn 또는 Ga), Li2S-GeS2, Li2S-SiS2-Li3PO4, 및 Li2S-SiS2-Lip MO q (0 <p<10, 0<q<10, M=P, Si, Ge, B, Al, Ga 또는 In)을 포함한다. 이와 관련하여, 황화물계 고체전해질 재료는 황화물계 고체전해질 물질의 원료 시작 물질(예를 들면, Li2S, P2S5, 등)을 용융 담금질법(melt quenching method), 기계적 밀링법 등에 의해 처리함으로써 제조될 수 있다.

[0212] In addition, a calcination process may be performed after the above treatment. The sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be amorphous, crystalline, or a mixture thereof.

[0213] Polymer solid electrolytes are electrolytes that, for example, contain a mixture of a lithium salt and a polymer, or contain a polymer having ion-conducting functional groups. Polymer solid electrolytes are, for example, polymer electrolytes that do not contain a liquid electrolyte.The polymers included in the polymeric solid electrolyte are, for example, polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide) block copolymer (PS-PEO), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-b-divinylbenzene) block copolymer, poly(styrene-ethylene oxide-styrene) block copolymer, polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), polypyrrole (PPY), polyaniline, polyacetylene, Nafion, Aquivion, Flemion, Gore, Aciplex, Morgane ADP, sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone), SPEEK, sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone ketone sulfone), SPAEKKS), sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone, SPAEK), poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)], SPBIBI), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), lithium 9,10-diphenylatlasene-2-sulfonate (lithium It may be 9,10-diphenylanthracene-2-sulfonate, DPASLi+) or a combination thereof, but is not limited to these, and any polymer electrolyte used in the relevant technical field is acceptable.Any lithium salt that can be used as a lithium salt in the relevant technical field is acceptable. Examples of lithium salts include LiPF6, LiBF4, LiSbF6, LiAsF6, LiClO4, LiCF3SO3, Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiC4F9SO3, LiAlO2, LiAlCl4, LiN(C. x F 2x+1 SO2)(C y F 2y+1 SO2)(x and y are each 1 to 20), LiCl, LiI, or mixtures thereof, etc.

[0214] A gel electrolyte is, for example, a gel polymer electrolyte. A gel polymer electrolyte is an electrolyte that includes, for example, a liquid electrolyte and a polymer, or includes an organic solvent and a polymer having ion-conducting functional groups. The liquid electrolyte may be, for example, an ionic liquid, a mixture of a lithium salt and an organic solvent, a mixture of an ionic liquid and an organic solvent, or a mixture of a lithium salt, an ionic liquid, and an organic solvent. The polymer may be selected from among the polymers used in solid polymer electrolytes. The organic solvent may be selected from among the organic solvents used in liquid electrolytes. The lithium salt may be selected from among the lithium salts used in solid polymer electrolytes. An ionic liquid refers to a salt in a liquid state at room temperature or a room temperature molten salt that has a melting point below room temperature and consists solely of ions. The ionic liquid comprises, for example, a) one or more cations selected from ammonium, pyrrolidinium, pyridinium, pyrimidinium, imidazolium, piperidinium, pyrazolium, oxazolium, pyridazinium, phosphonium, sulfonium, triazolium, and mixtures thereof, and b) BF4 - , PF6 - , AsF6 - , SbF6 - , AlCl4 - , HSO4 - , ClO4 - , CH3SO3 - , CF3CO2 - , Cl -, Br - , I - , BF4 - , SO4 - , CF3SO3 - , (FSO2)2N - , (C2F5SO2)2N - , (C2F5SO2)(CF3SO2)N - , and (CF3SO2)2N - It may include one or more compounds selected from those containing one or more anions selected from among. A gel polymer electrolyte may be formed by impregnating the polymer solid electrolyte into the electrolyte in a lithium secondary battery. The gel electrolyte may further include inorganic particles.

[0215]

[0216] separator

[0217] A lithium battery according to one embodiment may further include a separator (not shown).

[0218] As a separator, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or multilayer films of two or more layers thereof may be used, and of course, mixed multilayer films such as polyethylene / polypropylene two-layer separator, polyethylene / polypropylene / polyethylene three-layer separator, polypropylene / polyethylene / polypropylene three-layer separator may be used.

[0219] The separator may include a porous substrate and a coating layer comprising an organic material, an inorganic material, or a combination thereof located on one or both sides of the porous substrate.

[0220] The porous substrate may be a polymer membrane formed from any one of the following: polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; polyacetal; polyamide; polyimide; polycarbonate; polyetherketone; polyaryletherketone; polyetherimide; polyamideimide; polybenzimidazole; polyethersulfone; polyphenylene oxide; cyclic olefin copolymer; polyphenylene sulfide; polyethylene naphthalate; glass fiber; Teflon; and polytetrafluoroethylene, or a copolymer or mixture of two or more of these.

[0221] The organic material may include a polyvinylidene fluoride-based polymer or a (meth)acrylic-based polymer.

[0222] The inorganic material may include, but is not limited to, inorganic particles selected from Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, SnO2, CeO2, MgO, NiO, CaO, GaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, SrTiO3, BaTiO3, Mg(OH)2, boehmite, and combinations thereof.

[0223] Organic and inorganic materials may exist mixed in a single coating layer, or may exist in a stacked form with a coating layer containing organic materials and a coating layer containing inorganic materials.

[0224] This will be explained in more detail through the following examples and comparative examples. However, the examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited thereto.

[0225]

[0226] Example 1

[0227] (Anode manufacturing)

[0228] An aluminum (Al) foil with a thickness of 10 μm was prepared as the positive current collector.

[0229] Al2O3 with an average particle size (D50) of 0.3 μm was used as the metal oxide particles. The particles composed of Al2O3 were mixed with pitch-based carbon and then heat-treated at over 700 degrees (Celsius) to carbonize the carbon and form amorphous carbon. At this time, the ratio of pitch-based carbon to metal oxide particles was 50 wt%. Subsequently, the Al2O3 particles coated with amorphous carbon were dry-coated onto the surface of Li5FeO4, which is the cathode additive, and this was mixed with the cathode active material (LiCoO2, LCO) to prepare a cathode active material layer slurry. At this time, the ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material was 10 wt%.

[0230] A positive active material layer slurry was applied to both sides of the positive current collector and vacuum dried at 40°C for 10 hours. The dried laminate was 5 ton·f / cm² 2 The anode was prepared by flattening the anode composite layer of the laminate by cold rolling it at a pressure of 5 m / s and a speed of 5 m / s.

[0231] (Cathode manufacturing)

[0232] A copper (Cu) foil with a thickness of 10 μm was prepared as a cathode current collector.

[0233] A negative electrode active material layer slurry was prepared by mixing 95 wt% hard carbon (carbon-based active material), 2 wt% carbon black (conductive material), and 3 wt% PVDF (binder) in a water solvent.

[0234] A cathode active material layer slurry and urea (CO(NH2)2) were mixed in a weight ratio of 95:5 and heat-treated at 650°C for 5 hours under an N2 atmosphere. Through this heat treatment process, the urea was decomposed to produce a lithium host layer slurry containing N-doped hard carbon.

[0235] The cathode laminate, coated with a lithium host layer slurry on a prepared copper foil, was vacuum dried at 110°C for 5 hours. The dried laminate was 5 ton·f / cm² 2A lithium host layer with a thickness of 31.6 μm was prepared by flattening the laminate by cold roll pressing at a pressure of 5 m / s and a speed of 5 m / s.

[0236] (Manufacturing of lithium secondary batteries)

[0237] Polypropylene (PP) was used as the separator included in the intermediate layer.

[0238] A gel polymer electrolyte was used as the electrolyte layer included in the intermediate layer. An electrolyte precursor solution was prepared by mixing 95 wt% of a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate (1:1 volume ratio) in which 1M LiPF6 was dissolved, and 5 wt% of a crosslinking agent of PETTA (pentaerythritol tetraacrylate).

[0239] A laminate was prepared by placing polypropylene on a prepared anode and a prepared cathode on the polypropylene. The laminate was placed in a pouch, a prepared electrolyte precursor solution was injected, and the mixture was vacuum-sealed and thermally crosslinked in an oven at 80 degrees (Celsius) for 3 hours to form an electrolyte layer, thereby manufacturing a pouch-type lithium secondary battery with an initial cathode / anode charge capacity ratio of approximately 0.33. Parts of the positive current collector and the negative current collector were extended outside the sealed pouch to be used as the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

[0240]

[0241] Example 2

[0242] A cathode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of amorphous carbon to metal oxide particles was 70 wt% and the ratio of cathode additive to cathode active material was 20 wt%.

[0243]

[0244] Example 3

[0245] An anode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of amorphous carbon to metal oxide particles was 60 wt%.

[0246]

[0247] Example 4

[0248] A cathode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of cathode additive to cathode active material was 15 wt%.

[0249]

[0250] Example 5

[0251] An anode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of amorphous carbon to metal oxide particles was 10 wt%.

[0252]

[0253] Example 6

[0254] A cathode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of amorphous carbon to metal oxide particles was 80 wt% and the ratio of cathode additive to cathode active material was 20 wt%.

[0255]

[0256] Example 7

[0257] A cathode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the ratio of amorphous carbon to metal oxide particles was 60 wt% and the ratio of cathode additive to cathode active material was 25 wt%.

[0258]

[0259] Example 8

[0260] An anode was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that Al2O3 with an average particle size (D50) of 1.5 μm was used as the metal oxide particles.

[0261]

[0262] Comparative Example 1

[0263] A cathode active material layer slurry was prepared by mixing the cathode additive Li5FeO4 with the cathode active material. The ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material was 10 wt%. The cathode was manufactured by coating the slurry onto an aluminum foil, which serves as a cathode current collector.

[0264]

[0265] Comparative Example 2

[0266] Al2O3 with an average particle size (D50) of 0.3 μm was used as the metal oxide particles. Subsequently, the Al2O3 particles were dry-coated onto the surface of Li5FeO4, which is the cathode additive, and mixed with the cathode active material to prepare a cathode active material layer slurry. The ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material is 10 wt%. The cathode was manufactured by applying the slurry onto an aluminum foil, which is the cathode current collector.

[0267]

[0268] Comparative Example 3

[0269] Si with an average particle size (D50) of 0.3 μm was used as the particle. Si nanoparticles (Si-NPs) were mixed with pitch-based carbon and heat-treated at over 700°C to carbonize the pitch-based carbon and form amorphous carbon. The ratio of amorphous carbon to Si particles is 50 wt%. Si coated with amorphous carbon Particles were dry-coated onto the surface of Li5FeO4, an anode additive, and mixed with an anode active material to prepare an anode active material layer slurry. The ratio of the anode additive to the anode active material is 10 wt%. An anode was manufactured by applying the slurry onto an aluminum foil, which serves as an anode current collector.

[0270]

[0271] Comparative Example 4

[0272] Al2O3 with an average particle size (D50) of 0.3 μm was used as the metal oxide particles. The particles composed of Al2O3 were mixed with carbon nanotubes (CNT), and the carbon nanotubes were carbonized by heat treatment at over 700°C. The ratio of carbon nanotubes to metal oxide particles was 50 wt%. The carbon nanotube-coated Al2O3 particles were dry-coated onto the surface of Li5FeO4, which is the cathode additive, and this was mixed with the cathode active material to prepare a cathode active material layer slurry. The ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material was 10 wt%. The cathode was manufactured by applying the slurry onto aluminum foil, which is the cathode current collector.

[0273] Classification Cathode Active Material Cathode Additive Particle Particle Coating Layer Ratio of Particle Coating Layer to Particle (wt%) Average Particle Diameter (D50) (μm) Ratio of Cathode Additive to Cathode Active Material (wt%) Example 1 L COL i5 FeO 4 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 500.310 Example 2 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 700.320 Example 3 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 600.310 Example 4 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 500.315 Example 5 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 100.310 Example 6 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 800.320 Example 7 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 600.325 Example 8 Al2O3 Amorphous Carbon 501.510 Comparative Example 1 ---- 10 Comparative Example 2Al2O3--0.310 Comparative Example 3Si-NPs Amorphous Carbon 500.310 Comparative Example 4Al2O3CNT 500.310

[0274] Evaluation Example 1: DC-IR Measurement

[0275] A battery manufactured according to the example and comparative example was charged at 25°C with a constant current / constant voltage under 0.2C, 0.01V, and 0.01C cut-off conditions, rested for 10 minutes, then discharged under a constant current of 0.2C and 1.5V cut-off conditions, and rested for 10 minutes, and one charge / discharge cycle was performed.

[0276] Subsequently, the voltage drop (V) was measured while flowing a current of 8C for 10 seconds at SOC50 (a state where the battery is charged to 50% capacity when the total charge capacity is set to 100%, which means a state where it is discharged to 50% when viewed as a discharge state).

[0277] The resistance value was calculated from the measured voltage and the applied current (8C), and the result was expressed as DC internal resistance (DC-IR). The result is shown in the table below.

[0278]

[0279] Evaluation Example 2: Charge / Discharge Cycle Measurement Reaching a Capacity Retention Rate of 80%

[0280] A lithium secondary battery composed of each anode, cathode, separator, and electrolyte prepared according to the examples and comparative examples was manufactured, and a charge / discharge evaluation was performed.

[0281]

[0282] Manufacturing of charge / discharge evaluation cells

[0283] A single-plate pouch cell was fabricated to perform the above charge-discharge evaluation. A single-plate pouch cell was fabricated by sequentially stacking a separator and a cathode on top of each anode corresponding to the example and comparative example inside an aluminum pouch, and vacuum sealing the pouch. The cathode and anode were configured to be connected to external wires by connecting them to tabs made of nickel and aluminum, respectively. In addition, the pouch cell was left at room temperature for 12 hours to allow the electrolyte to fully impregnate the pores of the anode, and then left in an 80°C oven for 3 hours.

[0284]

[0285] Charge / Discharge Evaluation in Progress

[0286] The pouch cell manufactured through the above process was charged with a constant current at a rate of 0.1C at 45°C until the voltage reached 4.30V (vs. Li), and then cut off at a current rate of 0.05C while maintaining 4.30V in constant voltage mode. Subsequently, it was discharged with a constant current rate of 0.1C until the voltage reached 3.6V (vs. Li) during discharge (Formation Stage 1).

[0287] A lithium secondary battery that has undergone the first stage of formation was charged at 45°C with a constant current of 0.2C in a voltage range of 3.6 to 4.3 V relative to lithium metal, and then cut off at a current rate of 0.05C while maintaining 4.30V in constant voltage mode. Subsequently, constant current discharge was performed at 0.2C until a cut-off voltage of 3.6V was reached (second stage of formation).

[0288] The Mars stage was completed by going through the above Mars 1 and 2 stages one cycle each.

[0289] A lithium secondary battery with a completed formation stage was charged at 45°C with a constant current of 0.33C in a voltage range of 3.6 to 4.3 V relative to lithium metal, and then cut off at a current rate of 0.05C while maintaining 4.30V in constant voltage mode. Subsequently, constant current discharge was performed at 1.0C until a cut-off voltage of 3.6V was reached.

[0290] The aforementioned charge / discharge process was repeated a total of 100 times. In all charge / discharge cycles, a 5-minute pause was observed after each charge / discharge cycle. Here, the capacity retention rate in the Nth cycle is defined by the following formula.

[0291]

[0292] Capacity Retention Rate (%) = (Discharge Capacity at Nth Cycle / Discharge Capacity at 1st Cycle) × 100

[0293]

[0294] DC-IR was measured according to Evaluation Example 1 above and recorded in Table 2 below.

[0295] In addition, the cycles reaching a capacity retention rate of 80% were measured according to Evaluation Example 2 above and listed in Table 2 below.

[0296] Classification DC-IR(Ω) Cycles Reaching 80% Capacitance Retention Rate Example 1 3.3222 Example 2 3.7245 Example 3 2.5256 Example 4 3.2234 Example 5 8.2157 Example 6 8.5162 Example 77.5185 Example 89.0135 Comparative Example 1 14.4101 Comparative Example 2 15.1105 Comparative Example 3 10.2107 Comparative Example 49.9115

[0297] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Anode active material; and Anode additive containing lithium; Includes, At least a portion of the surface of the above-mentioned anode additive is coated with metal oxide particles, and An amorphous carbon coating layer is formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned cathode additive comprises a lithium-over-compound, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above metal oxide particles comprise any one of Al2O3, ZrO2, or a combination thereof, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

4. In Paragraph 1, The average particle size (D50) of the metal oxide particles is 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

5. In Paragraph 1, The ratio of the metal oxide particles to the anode additive is 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above amorphous carbon coating layer comprises pitch-based carbon, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

7. In Paragraph 1, The ratio of the amorphous carbon coating layer to the metal oxide particles is 10 wt% to 80 wt%, Cathode for lithium secondary batteries.

8. In Paragraph 1, A cathode for a lithium secondary battery, wherein the ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material is 5 wt% to 30 wt%.

9. In Paragraph 1, A cathode for a lithium secondary battery, wherein the ratio of the cathode additive to the cathode active material is 0.01 wt% to 1 wt%.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned positive active material comprises a composite oxide or phosphoric acid having lithium, a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery.

11. Anode; cathode; and A separator interposed between the above cathode and the above anode Includes, The above anode is, positive active material; and Anode additive containing lithium; Includes, At least a portion of the surface of the above-mentioned anode additive is coated with metal oxide particles, and A lithium secondary battery having an amorphous carbon coating layer formed on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles.

12. In Paragraph 11, A lithium secondary battery in which the negative electrode active material layer is absent (free) or the electrical capacity of the negative electrode is less than 100% compared to the electrical capacity of the positive electrode.

13. In Paragraph 11, The above-mentioned cathode additive comprises a lithium-over-compound, Lithium secondary battery.

14. In Paragraph 11, The above metal oxide particles comprise any one of Al2O3, ZrO2, or a combination thereof, Lithium secondary battery.

15. In Paragraph 11, The average particle size (D50) of the metal oxide particles is 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm, Lithium secondary battery.

16. In Paragraph 11, The ratio of the metal oxide particles to the anode additive is 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%, Lithium secondary battery.

17. In Paragraph 11, The above amorphous carbon coating layer comprises pitch-based carbon, Lithium secondary battery.

18. In Paragraph 11, The ratio of the amorphous carbon coating layer to the metal oxide particles is 10 wt% to 80 wt%, Lithium secondary battery.

19. In Paragraph 11, The ratio of the anode additive to the anode active material is 5 wt% to 30 wt%, Lithium secondary battery.

20. A step of forming an amorphous carbon coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the metal oxide particles; A step of coating at least a portion of the surface of a lithium-containing anode additive with the metal oxide particles; and A step of mixing the positive electrode active material and the positive electrode additive. A method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, comprising

Images