Positive electrode material for battery and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes at least a lithium-containing manganese layered composite oxide represented by the general formula Li1-xMn1-yMyO2-δ. The lithium-containing manganese composite oxide is deficient in lithium with respect to the stoichiometric composition of a layered crystal structure represented by the general formula LiMeO2. Part of Mn is replaced by a substitute metal such as Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Ga, In, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Ce or Cr.

Description: The present invention relates to positive electrode active material and lithium secondary batteries. More specifically, the present invention relates to lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide advantageous in cycle stability and capacity as compared to a conventional spinel type lithium manganese composite oxide, as positive electrode active material for rechargeable nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries using, as positive electrode active material, such a lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide. Among various rechargeable secondary batteries, the lithium secondary battery with its high charge-discharge voltage and large charge-discharge capacity has shown much promise as source of electricity for electric vehicles to meet the recent intense demand for zero-emission vehicles in environmental problem. In consideration of some aspects of LiCoO 2 such as the stability in operating environment, cost and natural reserves of LiCoO 2 used as positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, investigation is currently under way on spinel structure lithium manganese composite oxide (LiMn 2 O 4 ) as positive electrode active material of a secondary battery for an automotive vehicle. Japanese Published Patent Applications, Publication ( Kokai ) Nos. 11(1999)-171550 and 11(1999)-73962 show spinel structure lithium manganese composite oxides as positive electrode active material of a secondary battery. JP-A-06-044 973 discloses a lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode active material with the formula Li y (Co y Mn x )O 2 (x+y=1). JP-A-08-273 665 discloses a positive electrode material comprising a layered lithium cobaltate, wherein part of the cobalt is substituted by manganese. Chemistry Express, Vol7, No.3, pp 193-196(1992) discloses LiMnO 2 as cathode for a secondary lithium cell. Nature, Vol. 381, 6.6. 1996, pp 499-500 discloses the synthesis of layered LiMnO 2 as an electrode for rechargeable lithinm batteries. JP-A-04-267053 discloses a positive electrode active material with the general formnla Li x M y N 2 O 2 wherein M means Fe, Co or Ni and N means Ti, V, Cr or Mn. Solid state ionics, 118(1999), 117-120 discloses the preparation and electrochemical properties of layered lithium-cobalt-manganese oxides. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, LiMn 2 O 4 as positive electrode active material is deficient in durability at high temperatures and liable to cause deterioration in performance of the negative electrode due to dissolution of the positive electrode material into the electrolyte. To meet these. problems, technique is on trial, of substituting various elements such as transition metals and typical metallic elements, for part of Mn. However, the partial substitution of various element for Mn to improve the high temperature cycle durability as disclosed in Published Japanese Patent Application, Publication ( Kokai ) No. 11(1999)-71115 is liable to cause distortion in the crystal structure and hence deteriorate the cycle durability at room temperature. Moreover, an increase in the amount of substitution for further improvement of the stability of the crystal structure tends to lower the capacity of the active material. As to the capacity, lithium cobalt oxides (LiCoO 2 : the active material capacity = 140mAh/g) are higher in capacity than spinel type lithium manganese composite oxides (LiMn 2 O 4 : the active material capacity = 100 mAh/g). However, lithium cobalt oxides are disadvantageous in the stability etc., as mentioned before. Therefore, a desired positive electrode active material is a high-capacity Mn containing lithium composite oxide which is higher in the Li content in the crystal structure than the spinel lithium manganese composite oxides (LiMn 2 O 4 ) and which is superior in stability in operating environment to the lithium cobalt oxides. In such a high-capacity type positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, the lithium content in a chemical formula based on the crystal structure is determinative. Japanese Patent 2870741 seeks for a high-capacity Mn containing lithium composite oxide on the basis of crystal-chemical studies. A recent report (A. Robert Armstrong & P.G. Bruce "Synthesis of layered LiMnO 2 as an electrode for rechargeable lithium batteries", Nature, vol.381 (1996) p499) reveals LiMnO 2 layered oxide has a positive electrode active material capacity of about 270 mAh/g, more than twice of that of a conventional spinel structure lithium manganese oxide. With this layered oxide, a sufficient charge-discharge characteristic is obtainable at 55°C, for example. However, the active material capacity decreases to about one third at room temperature. Moreover, the capacity is decreased gradually by repetition of charge and discharge at temperatures over room temperature, so that the cycle durability is insufficient. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lithium manganese layered composite oxide positive electrode active material which is higher in capacity than the conventional spinel structure lithium manganese composite oxide, and advantageous in high temperature cycle durability to the conventional layered structure lithium manganese composite oxide, and to provide a high-performance lithium secondary battery using this high-capacity lithium manganese layered composite oxide. This object has been solved with the material according to claim 1 and the battery according to claim 12. Preferred embodiments are defined in the subclaims. The lithium-containing manganese composite oxide is represented by the formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O z where M is the substitute metal comprising at least Cr, x is a lithium deficiency quantity, y is a substitution quantity of the substitute metal substituting for a part of Mn, and z is an oxygen quantity z. The lithium deficiency quantity x is a rational number in the range of 0<x<1. The substitution quantity y is a rational number in the range of 0<y<1. The oxygen quantity z is equal to or smaller than 2. The oxygen quantity may be equal to 2, or may be smaller than 2 and greater than zero. The oxygen quantity z may be equal to 2-δ (z=2-δ), and δ may be in the range of δ≤0.2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The Figure is a view showing a nonaqueous secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An ordinary NaCl type MO crystal (where M is metallic element and O is oxygen) such as nickel oxide NiO has a crystal structure of metal (Ni) layers and oxygen layers stacked alternately in the <111> direction. On the other hand, a conventional layered LiMO 2 composite oxide (M is Ni, Co or Mn), a layered lithium manganese composite oxide, for example, has a layered structure of oxygen layer - Mn layer - oxygen layer - Li layer - oxygen layer - Mn layer - oxygen layer. The oxygen layers and metal layers are alternated, and the layers having metal elements are orderly arranged in an alternating manner. Attention has been paid to the conventional NaCl type MO crystal and the layered structure LiMO 2 composite oxide which are thought to be very similar in structure, and the inventors of this application has conceived that the layered structure LiMO 2 composite oxide is repetition of MO crystal block. The view reached from this notion is that the layered LiMO 2 composite oxide has a structure of regular repetition of [LiO][MO] block in which the MO blocks [MO] and LiO blocks [LiO] are arranged alternately. By applying this view of the block structure, the crystal structure of known sodium manganese oxide Na 2/3 MnO 2 is expressed as [Na 2/3 O][MnO]. This oxide is considered to have a structure formed by regularly making deficient the Na occupancy in the [NaO] block in the [NaO][MO] block structure. This suggests the possibility of creating a new layered structure lithium manganese oxide. Such contemplation has been applied to the [LiO][MO] block structure, and the notion reached by the inventors of this application is that it is possible to create new layered lithium manganese composite oxide by regularly making deficient the Li occupancy in [LiO] block. Furthermore, the crystal-chemical difference between Li site and Mn site is small by nature, and this view is applicable to the [MO] blocks. However, in order to use such a layered oxide as a positive electrode material of a lithium secondary battery, in the case of a manganese oxide as an example, it is desirable to increase the amount of Mn which undergoes significant valence change during cyclic charge and discharge operations. Therefore, simple removal of M in the [MO] block is inadequate. On the other hand, the use of a positive electrode active material represented by the chemical formula LiMn 1-y M y O 2-δ (where M is a substitute element, and y is a rational number in the range of 0∼0.25) as proposed by the above-mentioned Japanese Patent 2,870,741 is effective in Improving the capacity and durability as compared to the ordinary spinel type, but inadequate in performance in a low temperature region below room temperature. The mere substitution at Mn sites is insufficient to stabilize the distortion in the crystal and chemical bond, so that the performance in the low temperature region becomes poorer. After assiduous studies on effects of cation defect, the inventors of this application has reached findings that selection of regular element substitution quantity simultaneous with the defect is effective in stabilizing crystal distortion and chemical bond, and in obtaining new manganese layered composite oxide positive electrode active material which is superior in cycle stability and durability stability, durability and restraint of reaction with the electrolyte. When the view of the block structure is applied to a manganese layered composite oxide according to material design guidelines based on these findings, an NaCl type Li-deficient layered composite oxide Li 1-x MnO 2 can be expressed as [Li 1-x O][MnO]. The regular lithium-deficiency acts to stabilize the crystal structure and improve the cycle durability. The lithium deficiency quantity x can be 1/2, 1/3, 2/3, 1/4, 1/5, 2/5, 1/6. ···, 1/8 and so on. Further to maintain the durability stability at high temperatures, the regular substitution of Mn sites for another metal elements is possible to form a block structure of [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. When, for example, x=1/3 and y=1/2, the block structure is [Li 2/3 O][Mn 1/2 M 1/2 O]. When M=Ni, it is possible to obtain a compound of Li 2/3 Mn 1/2 Ni 1/2 O 2 . The lithium-containing manganese composite oxide preferably is represented by the formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2 or Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2-δ . In this case, the lithium deficiency quantity x is a rational number greater than zero and smaller than one (0<x<1), and the substitution quantity y of the additional metal substituting for a part of Mn is a rational number greater than zero and smaller than one (0<y<1). The lithium deficiency quantity x may be equal to a ratio a/b (x=a/b) of a first integer a selected from natural numbers from 1 to 30 (1≤a≤30), to a second integer b which is selected from the natural numbers from 1 to 30 (1≤b≤30) and which is greater than the first integer a (a<b), and the substitution quantity y may be equal to a ratio c/d (y=c/d) of a third integer c selected from the natural numbers from 1 to 30 (1≤c≤30), to a fourth integer d which is selected from the natural numbers from 1 to 30 (1≤d≤30) and which is greater than the third integer c (c<d). A composition variation width of each of the lithium deficiency quantity x, and the substitution quantity y may be in the range of ±5%. The lithium deficiency quantity x may be in the range of 0.03<x≤0.5. The substitution quantity y may be in the range of 0.03<y≤0.5. In the case of Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2-δ , an oxygen nonstoichiometry quantity δ may be in the range of δ≤0.2. The substitute metal M is not Mn and comprises at least Cr and preferably the substitute metal M includes in addition thereto at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals and typical metallic elements. The additional substitute metal M may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Ga, In, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Ce. The nonaqueous secondary battery according to the present invention includes at least a negative electrode and a positive electrode including at least such a lithium-containing manganese layered composite oxide. Preferably, the negative electrode includes at least a negative electrode active material capable of retaining and releasing lithium ions, and the positive electrode includes at least a positive electrode active material capable of retaining and releasing lithium ions. An electrolyte may be a lithium ion conductive nonaqueous liquid electrolyte. In the general formula Li 1 - x Mn 1 - y M y O z (which may be Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2 or Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2-δ ), the lithium deficiency quantity x is equal to a rational number in the range greater than zero and smaller than one (0<x<1). The lithium deficiency quantity x represents an amount of deficient Li deficient as compared to the stoichiometric composition in the lithium-containing manganese layered composite oxide. The lithium deficiency quantity x may be in the range of 0.1<x<0.33 or in the range of 0.03<x≤0.5. It is not desirable to decrease the lithium deficiency quantity x too much because of resulting adverse influence on the cycle stability and the tendency to degradation during charge and discharge operations. On the other hand, an excessive increase of the lithium deficiency quantity x increases an undesirable tendency to insufficient capacity. The metal substitution quantity y is equal to a rational number in the range greater than zero and smaller than one (0<y<1). The metal substitution quantity y represents an amount of the substitute metal M at Mn sites. The metal substitution quantity y may be in the range of 0.03<x≤0.5. It is not desirable to decrease the lithium deficiency quantity y too much because of resulting adverse influence on the tendency to degradation during charge and discharge operations. On the other hand, an excessive increase of the metal substitution quantity y increases an undesirable tendency to insufficient capacity. The lithium deficiency quantity x may be equal to a ratio (or quotient) a/b (x=a/b). The numerator a is smaller than the denominator b (a<b). Each of the numerator a and the denominator b is a positive integer which is equal to or greater than one and which is equal to or smaller than 30 (1≤a≤30, 1≤b≤30). If the integer a and/or the integer b is smaller than one, or greater than 30, then the effects of the lithium deficiency become poor, and the cycle durability becomes insufficient. The cycle durability becomes lower if the inequality a<b is not satisfied. The metal substitution quantity y of the substitute metal M at Mn sites may be equal to a ratio (or quotient) c/d (x=c/d). The numerator c is smaller than the denominator d (c<d). Each of the numerator c and the denominator d is a positive integer which is equal to or greater than one and which is equal to or smaller than 30 (1≤c≤30, 1≤d≤30). If the integer c and/or the integer d is smaller than one, or greater than 30, then the effects of the metal substitution become poor, and the cycle durability becomes insufficient. The cycle durability becomes lower if the inequality c<d is not satisfied. The composition variation width of the lithium deficiency quantity x may be within ±5%. The cycle durability becomes insufficient if the variation of x is greater than +5% of if the variation of x is smaller than -5%. The composition variation width of the metal substitution quantity y may be within ±5%. The cycle durability becomes insufficient if the variation of y is greater than +5% of if the variation of y is smaller than -5%. The oxygen nonstoichiometry quantity δ represents an amount of oxygen defect. Preferably, the oxygen defect quantity δ is equal to or smaller than 0.2 (δ≤0.2). When the oxygen defect quantity δ is greater than 0.2, the crystal structure becomes unstable, and the tendency to degradation increases. As a production process for producing the lithium-deficient manganese composite oxide according to the present invention, it is possible to employ a process including at least a mixing step of mixing manganese compound, lithium compound, and compound of the substitute metal (transition metal or typical metallic element) homogeneously at a predetermined molar ratio, and a calcining step of calcining the mixture in the atmosphere of low oxygen concentration. Examples of the manganese compound which can be used in this process are; electrolytic manganese dioxide, chemically synthesized manganese dioxide, dimanganese trioxide, γ-MnOOH, manganese carbonate, manganese nitrate, and manganese acetate. A desirable range of the average particle diameter of the manganese compound powder is 0.1∼100µm. Preferably, the average particle diameter is equal to or smaller than 20 µm. If the grain size is too large, the reaction between the manganese compound and the lithium compound becomes very slow, and the homogeneity of the product material becomes lower. Examples of the lithium compound are; lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium nitrate, lithium oxide, and lithium acetate. Preferable examples are lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. Preferably, the average particle diameter is equal to or smaller than 30 µm. Examples of the transition metal compound are; nitrates, acetates, citrates, chlorides, hydrides and oxides of the transition metals. Examples of the typical metallic element compound are; nitrates, acetates, citrates, chlorides, hydrides and oxides of the typical metallic elements. Examples of the mixing step are; dry or wet blending of manganese compound, lithium compound and transition metal or typical metallic element compound; dry or wet blending of manganese-transition metal complex compound or manganese-typical metallic element complex compound synthesized from manganese compound and transition metal or typical metallic element compound, and lithium compound; dry or wet blending of LiMnO 2 and transition metal or typical metallic element compound; and coprecipitation from a solution of lithium compound, manganese compound and transition metal or typical metallic element compound, by the use of at least one of citric acid, ammonium bicarbonate, etc. Preferable for obtaining a homogeneous product material Is a method including at least a step of obtaining a coprecipitation product by dripping, Into aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, a mixed aqueous solution prepared by completely or sufficiently dissolving manganese compound and transition metal or typical metallic element compound in ion-exchanged water, and a step of dry or wet blending of the obtained coprecipitation product and lithium compound in an amount corresponding to a deficiency with respect to a target composition ratio. Alternatively, it is possible to employ a method of calcining the coprecipitation product produced by the above-mentioned method and thereby obtaining a manganese-transition metal complex oxide or a typical metallic element complex oxide, and mixing the product material of the calcination with a lithium compound of an amount corresponding to a deficiency with respect to the target composition ratio. The calcination is carried out in an atmosphere of low oxygen concentration. A preferable atmosphere for the calcination is an oxygen-free atmosphere of gas such as nitrogen, argon or carbon dioxide. Desirably, the oxygen partial pressure in the atmosphere is equal to or lower than 1000 ppm. More desirably, the oxygen partial pressure is equal to or lower than 100 ppm. A desirable calcination temperature is equal to or lower than 1100°C. More desirably, the calcination temperature is equal to or lower than 950°C. Temperatures above 1100°C tend to incur decomposition of the product material. Desirably, the calcination time is in the range of 1∼48 hours. More desirably, the calcination time is in the range of 5∼24 hours. The calcination may be a single stage calcination or a multistage calcination consisting of two or more calcination steps of different calcination temperatures. It is possible to efficiently lower the oxygen partial pressure in the calcination atmosphere by addition, to the mixture of the lithium compound and the manganese compound, of carbon containing compound, preferably carbon powder such as carbon black or acetylene black, or organic substance such as citric acid. The amount of the addition is in the range of 0.05∼10%. When the amount of the addition is on the smaller side of this range, the effect is too low. When the amount of the addition is on the greater side, the possibility of byproduct becomes high, and the purity of the target product becomes low because of residue of the additive carbon containing compound. In the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention, it is possible to use, as the material of the negative electrode, any of negative electrode materials for nonaqueous secondary batteries. Examples are; metallic lithium, lithium alloy, metallic oxide such as SnSiO 3 , metallic nitride such as LiCoN 2 and carbon material. Examples of the carbon material are; coke, natural graphite, artificial graphite, and non-graphitizable carbon. As the electrolytic solution or liquid electrolyte, it is possible to use lithium salt, as electrolyte, dissolved in nonaqueous solvent. Examples of the electrolyte are; LiClO 4 , LiAsF 6 , LiPF 6 , LiBF 4 , LiCF 3 SO 3 and Li(CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N. As organic solvent, carbonates, lactones, ethers and others are candidates. Examples are; ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate, 1, 2-dimethoxy ethane, 1, 2-diethoxy ethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolan, and γ-butyrolactone. It is possible to use any one or more of these solvents singly or in combination. The concentration of the electrolyte dissolved in the solvent can be 0.5∼2.0 mole/liter. Besides these examples, it is possible to use solid or viscous liquid of one or more of the above mentioned electrolytes dispersed homogeneously in high polymer matrix. This solid or viscous liquid may be further impregnated with nonaqueous solvent. As the high polymer matrix, it is possible to employ polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile or polyvinylidene fluoride. It is possible to provide a separator for preventing short-circuit between the positive and negative electrodes. Examples of the separator are; porous sheet and nonwoven fabric of polyethylene, polypropylene, or cellulose. [Practical Examples] In the following practical examples reference example and comparative example, positive and negative electrodes were prepared in the following manner, and encapsulated type nonaqueous solvent battery cells were produced. These practical examples are not exhaustive listings, and the present invention is not limited to these practical examples. The positive electrode material was prepared by the undermentioned coprecipitation method in practical/reference examples 1∼8, and by the undermentioned solid state mixing in practical examples 9∼16 and a comparative example. (Synthesis by Coprecipitation) A mixed aqueous solution having a predetermined mole ratio of Mn and a transition metal M was prepared by using manganese nitrate and a compound containing the transition metal element M. Then, brown slurry was obtained by dripping the mixed aqueous solution over a time equal to or longer than 30 minutes while 10% aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide was agitated and the pH was held equal to or higher than 9. The slurry was filtered and cleaned with ion-exchanged water. After drying, the resulting brown solid substance was crushed until the average particle diameter becomes smaller than or equal to 20 µm. To this product, lithium hydroxide monohydrate was added in an amount to obtain a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to a value of a ratio Li/(Mn+M) listed in a table 1 below, and then mixed In a mortar. Thereafter, the mixture was subjected to heat treatment at 900°C for 24 hours in a stream of argon. In this way, obtained were lithium manganese transition metal composite oxides having chemical compositions listed in rows in Table 1 for the practical/reference examples 1∼8. (Synthesis by Solid Phase Mixing) Lithium hydroxide monohydrate powder, dimanganese trioxide powder, and compound of a transition metal M listed in Table 1 were added at a predetermined mole ratio, and mixed in a mortar. Thereafter, the mixture was subjected to heat treatment at 900°C for 24 hours in an atmosphere of argon. After cooling, the calcined product was crushed in a mortar. In this way, positive electrode materials having mole ratios of lithium, manganese and transition metal as listed in the rows of practical/reference examples 9∼16 and comparative example 1 in Table 1 were obtained. (Production of Cell) Each of the obtained positive electrode materials was mixed with acetylene black as conducting material and PTFE powder as binding material at a weight ratio of 80:16:4. The mixture was molded into a circular disc having a diameter of 12 mm by a pressure of 2t/cm 2 . The molded mixture was subjected to heat treatment at 150°C for 16 hours to produce a positive electrode disc. Then, a negative electrode member was formed by compressing lithium metal in the shape of a circular disc having a diameter of 12 mm and mesh-shaped negative electrode collector plate of stainless steel. As the electrolyte, use was made of a solution of a combined solvent obtained by mixing ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate at a volume ratio of 1:1, and LiPF6 dissolved in the combined solvent at a concentration of 1 mole/liter. Polypropylene film was used as a separator. SUS sheet was used as a collector of the positive electrode. Leads were taken out, respectively, from the positive and negative electrodes, and an element was formed by placing the positive and negative electrode members so as to confront each other across the separator. While being pressed by a spring, this element was interposed between two PTFE plates. Furthermore, the sides of the element were covered by PTFE plates, and a sealed nonaqueous battery cell was completed. The production of the cell was carried out in the atmosphere of argon. (Evaluation) The thus-produced nonaqueous battery cells were examined to evaluate the charge-discharge cycle performance by repetition of charge-discharge cycle at a temperature of 60°C, at a constant current of 0.5 mA/cm 2 in a voltage range from 4.3V to 2.0V. Table 1 shows the number of charge-discharge cycles reached when the discharge capacity decreases below 90% of the initial discharge capacity. In the following, each of the practical examples or reference examples are expressed in terms of the block structure [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O] according to the before-mentioned guiding principle of the present invention. (Reference Example 1) Li 0.67 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a first reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 2/3 O][Mn 1/2 Co 1/2 O]. In the first reference example, x=1/3, y=1/2, and M=Co in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 2) Similarly, Li 0.83 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a second reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 1/2 Co 1/2 O]. In the second reference example, x=1/6, y=1/2, and M=Co in the general block structure formula [Li1-xO][Mn1-yMyO]. (Reference Example 3) Li 0.967 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a third reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as reference [Li 29/30 O][Mn 1/2 Co 1/2 O]. In the third reference example, x=1/30, y=1/2, and M=Co in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 4) Li 0.75 Mn 0.75 Co 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a fourth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 3/4 O][Mn 3/4 Co 1/4 O]. In the fourth reference example, x=1/4, y=1/4, and M=Co in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 5) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ni 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a fifth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [L1 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Ni 1/4 O]. In the fifth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Ni in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 6) Li 0.83 Mn 0.67 Fe 0.33 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a sixth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 2/3 Fe 1/3 O]. In the sixth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/3, and M=Fe in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 7) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Al 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a seventh reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Al 1/4 O]. In the seventh reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=AI in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Practical Example 1) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Cr 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a first practical example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Cr 1/4 O]. In the first practical example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Cr in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 9) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ga 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a ninth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Ga 1/4 O]. In the ninth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Ga in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 10) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 In 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a tenth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 In 1/4 O]. In the tenth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=In in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 11) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Zr 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for an eleventh reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Zr 1/4 O]. In the eleventh reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Zr in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 12) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 V 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a twelfth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 V 1/4 O]. In the twelfth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=V in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 13) Li 0.75 Mn 0.875 Fe 0.125 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a thirteenth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 3/4 O][Mn 7/8 Fe 1/8 O]. In the thirteenth reference example, x=1/4, y=1/8, and M=Fe in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O] (Reference Example 14) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Nb 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a fourteenth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Nb 1/4 O]. In the fourteenth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Nb in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 15) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ta 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a fifteenth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Ta 1/4 O]. In the fifteenth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Ta in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Reference Example 16) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ti 0.25 O 2-δ in a row of Table 1 for a sixteenth reference example is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [Li 5/6 O][Mn 3/4 Ti 1/4 O]. In the sixteenth reference example, x=1/6, y=1/4, and M=Ti in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. (Comparative Example 1) Li 1.0 Mn 1.0 O 2-δ in the row of Table 1 for a comparative example 1 is expressed, in the form of block structure representation taking no account of the oxygen defect (oxygen nonstoichiometry δ), as [LiO][MnO]. In this comparative example, x=0, and y=0 in the general block structure formula [Li 1-x O][Mn 1-y M y O]. Samples Transition Metal compound Composition of Positive Electrode Material δ Number of Cycles Reference Cobalt Li 0.67 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ 0.14 105 Example Nitrate 1 (II) Reference Cobalt Cobalt Li 0.83 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ 0.05 126 Example Nitrate 2 (II) Reference Cobalt Li 0.967 Mn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 2-δ 0.01 113 Example Nitrate 3 (II) Reference Cobalt Li 0.75 Mn 0.75 Co 0.25 O 2-δ 0.10 139 Example Nitrate 4 (II) Reference Nickel Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ni 0.25 O 2-δ 0.03 121 Example Nitrate 5 (II) Reference Iron Li 0.83 Mn 0.67 Fe 0.33 O 2-δ 0.06 81 Example Nitrate 6 (III) Reference Aluminum Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Al 0.25 O 2-δ 0.06 119 Example Nitrate 7 (III) Practical Example 1 Chromium Nitrate (III) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Cr 0.25 O 2-δ 0.07 127 Reference Example 9 Gallium Nitrate (III) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ga 0.25 O 2-δ 0.06 41 Reference Example 10 Indium Hydroxide (III) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 In 0.25 O 2-δ 0.05 33 Reference Example 11 Zirconium Hydroxide (IV) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Zr 0.25 O 2-δ 0.04 29 Reference Example 12 Vanadium Oxide (III) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 V 0.25 O 2-δ 0.04 45 Reference Example 13 Iron Oxide (III) Li 0.75 Mn 0.875 Fe 0.125 O 2-δ 0.11 73 Reference Example 14 Niobium Oxide (II) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Nb 0.25 O 2-δ 0.02 63 Reference Example 15 Tantalum Oxide (V) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ta 0.25 O 2-δ 0.03 59 Reference Example 16 Titanium Oxide (IV) Li 0.83 Mn 0.75 Ti 0.25 O 2-δ 0.04 86 Comparative Example - LiMnO 2-δ 0 10 The lithium secondary battery cell of each of the first through sixteenth practical/reference examples employs, as positive electrode material, a lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide represented by the general formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2-δ . In this formula, M is not Mn and comprises at least one of transition metal elements and typical metallic elements. More specifically, M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Ga, In, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Ce and Cr. Preferably, the lithium deficiency quantity x of regular lithium defect is a rational number greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5 (0.03<x≤0.5), the metal substitution quantity y is a ration number greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5 (0.03<y≤0.5), and the oxygen nonstoichiometry quantity δ is greater than zero, and smaller than or equal to 0.02 (δ≤0.2). The lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide of each of the first through sixteenth practical/reference examples has the crystal structure prepared by controlling the lithium deficiency quantity x, the metal substitution quantity y and the oxygen nonstoichiometry quantity δ so as to satisfy these conditions. The lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide positive electrode active material of each practical example is fairly improved in cycle durability as compared to the comparative example. The lithium secondary battery cells of the practical example is especially suitable for batteries for EV and HEV because of the compactness and prolonged lifetime. Figure shows a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery employing the positive electrode active material of the first practical example. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode 1, a negative electrode 2, a separator 3, a positive electrode lead 4, a negative electrode lead 5, a cover 6 on the positive electrode's side, and a battery casing 7.

Claims: A positive electrode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the positive electrode active material comprising: a lithium-containing manganese composite oxide having a layered crystal structure represented by the general formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O z where M is the substitute metal, x is a lithium deficiency quantity, y is a substitution quantity of the substitute metal substituting for a part of Mn, and z is an oxygen quantity z, the lithium deficiency quantity x being a rational number in the range of 0<x<1, the substitution quantity y being a rational number in the range of 0<y<1, the oxygen quantity z being equal to or smaller than 2, wherein the substitute metal M comprises at least Cr. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lithium-containing manganese composite oxide has a crystal structure in which the lithium deficiency quantity x and the substitution quantity y of the substitute metal at Mn sites are controlled to be in the ranges of 0<x<1 and 0<y<1. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the substitute metal M is not Mn and the substitute metal M comprises, in addition, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals and typical metallic elements. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the substitute metal M comprises additionally at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, Al, Ga, In, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr and Ce. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lithium deficiency quantity x is greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the substitution quantity y is greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lithium-containing manganese composite oxide is represented by the formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2 . The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lithium-containing manganese composite oxide is represented by the formula Li 1-x Mn 1-y M y O 2-δ . The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 8 wherein an oxygen nonstoichiometry quantity δ is smaller than or equal to 0.2. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the substitute metal M comprises, in addition, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals and typical metallic elements; wherein the lithium deficiency quantity x is greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5; and wherein the substitution quantity y is greater than 0.03, and smaller than or equal to 0.5. The positive electrode active material as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the oxygen quantity z is greater than one and smaller than or equal to 2. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising: a negative electrode; and a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 11. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the negative electrode comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Li metal, composite oxide, nitride and carbon.

Inventors: FUKUZAWA TATSUHIRO, KIMURA TAKASHI, MIHARA TAKUYA, MUNAKATA FUMIO, OHSAWA YASUHIKO, SUHARA MANABU, SUNAHARA KAZUO, TANJO YUUJI, FUKUZAWA, TATSUHIRO, KIMURA, TAKASHI, MIHARA, TAKUYA, MUNAKATA, FUMIO, OHSAWA, YASUHIKO, SUHARA, MANABU, SUNAHARA, KAZUO, TANJO, YUUJI, Kimura, Takashi, c/o Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd., Mihara, Takuya, c/o Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd., Suhara, Manabu, c/o Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd., Sunahara, Kazuo, c/o Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.
Applicants: NISSAN MOTOR, NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LIMITED
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H01M4
IPC codes: C01G45, H01M4, H01M10