This invention provides a method for estimating the amount of
coating present on the surface of a positive
electrode active material. [Solution] An
estimation method comprising: obtaining the
lithium content (Li) and the content of metals other than
lithium in the positive
electrode active material (Me) in the battery, assuming that the
lithium content derived from the positive
electrode active material is 1 mole, and calculating the ratio of Li to Me; obtaining the amount of Ni and Li mixed in the positive electrode active material and calculating the
molar ratio of the mixing amounts; obtaining the
lithium carbonate content and calculating the
molar ratio of lithium derived from
lithium carbonate; obtaining the
lithium hydroxide content and calculating the
molar ratio of lithium derived from
lithium hydroxide; and calculating the molar ratio of lithium derived from
lithium tungstate using the following formula (1). [Li / Me]-(1-[Ni mixing])=[Li mixing]+[Li2CO3]+[LiOH]+[
Lithium tungstate] Equation (1)