Patent Publication Number: US-2005118083-A1

Title: Process for the production of lithium-containing material and non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells using it

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a process for a production of a lithium-containing material and non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell using it.  
     BACKGROUND OF ART  
      In recent years, the small and lightweight Li-ion cells have been widely used as a power source of electric devices such as cellular phone and digital camera. Since multi-functionalization of such electric device has remarkably progressed, improvement in the energy density of the cells has been further expected.  
      A lithium transition metal oxide as positive active material and a carbon as negative active material have been mainly used for commercial Li-ion cells until now. As candidates of other positive active materials, there are TiS 2 , MoS 2 , MnO 2 , V 2 O 5 , etc, which have been until now studied for the practical use. However, lithium contributing to charge-discharge reaction is not contained in these positive active materials. Therefore, these positive active materials have the problem that they have to combine with negative active materials containing lithium for establishment of Li-ion cells.  
      Although metallic lithium and lithium alloy have been considered as one of the negative active material, these can not have been used due to poor cycle performance. In addition, if a carbon is used as a negative active material, it needs to be made to contain lithium in advance. To manufacture this lithium-containing carbon material LixC (X&gt;0), the electrochemical method is required that cathode reaction is carried out by using the suitable counter electrode with such a metallic lithium in the electrolyte containing Li +  ion, as the Japanese published unexamined patent 2002-075454 reported. This method has to prepare the electrode with carbon and to charge it electrically, in advance. Therefore, the complicated attachment work of a lead and voltage-current control equipment are required, which means high manufacturing cost. Moreover, since the LixC (X&gt;0) is remarkably unstable to water and air, there is a problem in handling. The method of attaching metallic lithium directly on electrode as indicated by the Japanese published unexamined patent 2002-075454 also has a problem that the process is complicated and requires the long time.  
      On the other hand, if a carbon material which does not contain lithium is used as a negative active material, attachment of metallic lithium to electrode or electrochemical method is not required. However, lithium contributing to charge-discharge reaction has to be included in positive active material in this case.  
      Therefore, for preparation of the lithium-containing positive active material, the electrochemical method is required that cathode reaction is carried out by using the suitable counter electrode such a metallic lithium in the electrolyte containing Li +  ion in the same way as the manufacturing process of LixC (X&gt;0). In this case, there is the same problem as the manufacturing process of LixC (X&gt;0).  
      The Japanese patent No.3227771 and published unexamined patent Hei.8-203525 reported that in the cell using the positive electrode with lithium-containing material such a LiCoO 2  or LiNiO 2  and negative one with carbon, chemical absorption of lithium equivalent to the irreversible capacity of a carbon material to these positive active material compensates the irreversible capacity. Thus, these patents show that lithium consumed in the irreversible reaction is compensated by the invention, while it has not been examined and has been completely unknown that lithium absorbed to a non-lithium-containing material can contribute to charge-discharge reaction of positive or negative electrode.  
      If an easy, short, or low-cost lithium absorption method is to be established, there is another advantage. Recently, since the designed capacity of negative electrode with carbon has become the value near the theoretical capacity, it is difficult to enhance the discharge capacity of Li-ion cells in the future. Therefore, alternative negative active materials with large capacity to carbon have been studied extensively. SiO is one of the negative active materials as published unexamined patent Hei.8-130011 reported. However, there has been a problem that the cell thickness increases since the electrode with SiO has large volume expansion with charging. There has been also the problem of volume expansion with charging for SnO 2 , SnO, ZnO, etc.  
      As one of solution of the problem, if the volume of active materials is, in advance, to be expanded by lithium absorption before fabrication of the cells, the increase of cell thickness can be limited. Thus, it is also very important to establish an easy, short, or low-cost lithium absorption method.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The manufacturing process for lithium-absorption into non-lithium-containing material has been desired for contribution to charge-discharge reaction. The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell with it such as battery or capacitor has been also desired. The problem has been unsolved that cell thickness increases since the electrode with large-capacity negative active materials such as SiO, SnO 2 , SnO, ZnO, etc. has large volume expansion with charging.  
      This invention offers A process for a production of lithium-containing active material and non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells using it to solve these problems.  
      The first invention is a process for a production of lithium-containing material by a lithium absorption reaction proceeding on contact between material M and a solution obtained by dissolving metallic Li and polycyclic aromatic compound into chain monoether, where the material M contains at least one sort of elements selected from a transition metal, IIIb metal, IVb metal, and Vb metal in a periodic table.  
      The second invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the molecule structure of the chain monoether is asymmetric.  
      The third invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the chain monoether is 1-methoxy-butane.  
      The forth invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the polycyclic aromatic compound is at least one sort selected from naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene.  
      The fifth invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the polycyclic aromatic compound is naphthalene.  
      The sixth invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the material M is at least one sort selected from SiO, GeO, GeO 2 , PbO, PbO 2 , Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 , Bi 2 O 5 , SnO, SnO 2 , SnSi 0.01 O 1.09 , SnGe 0.01 O 1.09 , SnPb 0.01 O 1.09 , SnP 0.01 O 1.09 , SnB 2 O 4 , SnSiAl 0.2 P 0.2 O 0.3 , In 2 O 3 , Tl 2 O, Tl 2 O 3 , SnS, SnS 2 , GeS, GeS 2 , Sb 2 S 5 , Si 3 N 4 , AlN, CoO, CO 3 O 4 , CO 2 O 3 , NiO, TiO 2 , TiO, MnO, CuO, Cu 2 O, ZnO, CoS, Mn 2 P, CO 2 P, Fe 3 P As 2 O 3 , V 2 O 3 , V 2 O 4 , V 2 O 5 , CrO 3 , Cr 2 O 3 , Mn 2 O 3 , Mn 3 O 4 , MnO 2 , Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 2 O 3 , FeO, FeS 2 , CoS 2 , TiS 2 , FePO 4 , CoPO 4 , MnPO 4 , NiF 3 , and CoF 3 .  
      The seventh invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the material M is SiO.  
      The eighth invention is the process for the production of lithium-containing material according to first invention, where the material M is at least one sort selected from FePO 4 , CoPO 4 , and MnPO 4 .  
      The ninth invention is a process for a production of a non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell using an electrode with the lithium-containing material according to the first invention.  
      The tenth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the second invention.  
      The eleventh invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the third invention.  
      The twelfth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the forth invention.  
      The thirteenth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the fifth invention.  
      The fourteenth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the sixth invention.  
      The fifteenth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the seventh invention.  
      The sixteenth invention is the process for the production of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell according to the ninth invention, using the electrode with the lithium-containing material obtained by the process according to the eighth invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The manufacturing method of the lithium-containing material of these inventions is to make material M absorb lithium by contact between the solution S, which is obtained by dissolving metallic lithium and polycyclic aromatic compounds into chain monoether, and the material M containing at least one sort of elements selected the transition metal, IIIB metal, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi in the periodic table.  
      Moreover, the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells such a battery or capacitor etc. are equipped with the electrode using lithium-containing material obtained by the manufacturing process of present inventions.  
      Since it is possible for the lithium-containing material, which is obtained by contact between material M and solution S, to absorb and disabsorb lithium electrochemically, the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells are to be established by using the electrode with this material.  
      The element contained in material M is desirable to be one sort at least selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Nb, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, and Sb since the charge-discharge characteristics of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells is better. Furthermore, it is one sort at least selected from Mn, Fe, Co, and Si preferably.  
      Even if the electrode and solution S are contacted after preparing the electrode, or the electrode is prepared after contacting material M and solution S, ether cases are to be applied.  
      If metallic lithium and polycyclic aromatic compounds are dissolved in chain monoether, an electron moves from metallic lithium to polycyclic aromatic compounds and the complex solution is obtained after anion and lithium ion is formed. Therefore, in the case of dissolving all metallic lithium in this solution S, lithium ion, polycyclic aromatic compound, anion of polycyclic aromatic compound, and solvent are contained in the solution. In the case of dissolving the part of metallic lithium in this solution S, metallic lithium, lithium ion, polycyclic aromatic compound, anion of polycyclic aromatic compound, and solvent are contained in the solution. Then, lithium ion is absorbed to material M at the same time an electron moves from the anion of polycyclic aromatic compound to material M. Since anion of polycyclic aromatic compounds returns to polycyclic aromatic compounds at this time, it has the role of a catalyst in this lithium-absorption reaction.  
      The concentration of lithium in the solution S is desirable in the range from 0.07 g dm −3  to saturation. If the concentration is smaller than 0.07 g dm −3 , the problem arises that absorption time becomes long. Lithium-saturated concentration is more desirable to shorten the absorption time.  
      The concentration of the polycyclic aromatic compounds in the solution S is desirable in the range from 0.005 to 2.0 mol dm −3 . It is from 0.005 to 0.25 mol dm −3  more preferably, and from 0.005 to 0.01 mol dm −3  still more preferably. If the concentration of polycyclic aromatic compounds is smaller than 0.005 mol dm −3 , the problem arises that absorption time becomes long. On the other hand, if the concentration is larger than 2.0 mol dm −3 , the problem arises polycyclic aromatic compounds is precipitated in the solution.  
      The time that solution S and material M are contacted is not restricted. However, it requires 0.5 minutes or more for material M to absorb lithium fully. The time is in the range from 0.5 minutes to 240 hours more preferably, and from 0.5 minutes to 72 hours still more preferably.  
      Lithium-absorption rate is to be accelerated by stirring the solution in the case of the immersion material M into solution S. Moreover, if the temperature of solution S becomes high, lithium-absorption rate is to be accelerated; however the temperature is desirable below boiling point of the chain monoether not to boil the solution.  
      The material M in these inventions are the compounds containing the one element of sort selected from Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, and Bi, such as oxides of GeO, GeO 2 , PbO, PbO 2 , Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 , Bi 2 O 5 , SnO, SnO 2 , SnSiO 0.01 O 1.09 , SnGe 0.01 O 1.09 , SnPb 0.01 O 1.09 , SnP 0.01 O 1.09 , SnB 2 O 4 , SnSiAl 0.2 P 0.2 O 0.3 , In 2 O 3 , Tl 2 O, Tl 2 O 3 , As 2 O 3  etc., sulfides of SnS, SnS 2 , GeS, GeS 2 , Sb 2 S 5 , etc., nitride of Si 3 N 4 , and AlN etc., these compound containing at least one sort selected from representative nonmetal elements such as N, P, F, Cl, Br, I, S etc., and transition metal such as Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Zr, Ta, Hf, Nb, W, etc. In addition, the use of SiO containing SiO 2  and Si phase is preferable among the oxides represented as SiOx (0≦X≦2). The half maximum full width B of the main peak (2θ) detected in the range from 46° to 49° is preferably represented as B&lt;3° by XRD analysis with CuKα.  
      Examples of the material M in the present invention are oxides containing one sort at least selected from transition-metal oxide such as CoO, CO 3 O 4 , CO 2 O 3 , CoPO 4 , NiO, TiO 2 , TiO, V 2 O 3 , V 2 O 4 , V 2 O 5 , CrO 3 , Cr 2 O 3 , MnO, MnO 2 , Mn 2 O 3 , Mn 3 O 4 , FeO, Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , CuO, Cu 2 O, ZnO, etc., fluoride such as CoF 3 , NiF 3 , etc., sulfide such as TiS 2 , FeS 2 , CoS, etc., nitride Fe 3 N, etc., phosphide such as Mn 3 P, CO 3 P, Fe 3 P, and their derivatives including one sort selected from representative nonmetal element such as B, N, P, Cl, Br, I, etc., and representative metal element such as Mg, Al, Ca, Ga, Ge, Sn, Pb, Bi, etc.  
      The material M is to be used with one or more mixtures. Their crystallinity is to be used from high to amorphous. Their figuration is to be used as particle, film, fiber, and mesoporous.  
      The material M is to be used as composite with carbon. The composite coated with carbon on the surface of material M, granulated by mixing with carbon and material M, and coated with carbon on the surface of the particle granulated by mixing with carbon and material M are to be used. As the carbon coating, CVD method where the surface of particles is deposited chemically in the vapor phase using carbon sources such as benzene, toluene, xylene, methane, ethane, propane, butane, ethylene, acetylene, etc., heating method after mixing with thermoplastic resin such as pitch, tar, furfurylalcohol, etc., mechanical reaction method between their particle and carbon are to be used. CVD method is preferable because of uniformly coating.  
      The lithium-containing material of the present invention is to be used for the only positive electrode, only negative electrode, or both positive and negative electrode of non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell.  
      In the case of using the lithium-containing material for positive electrode of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell, there is no restriction for negative active material, which various materials selected from carbon material such as graphite, amorphous carbon, etc., oxide, nitride are to be used.  
      In the case of using the lithium-containing material for negative electrode of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell, there is no restriction for positive active material, which various materials selected from transition metal oxide such as manganese dioxide, vanadium pentoxide, etc., transition metal chalcogen such as ferric sulfide, titanium sulfide, etc., carbon material such as graphite, active carbon, etc. are to be used.  
      Examples of the binder to be used for the positive and negative electrode include one sort at least selected from ethylene-propylene-diene ternary copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, polyvinyl acetate, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylene, nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), carboxymethylcellulose, etc.  
      Non-aqueous and aqueous solvents are to be used for the solvent to be used for mixing a binder. Examples of the non-aqueous solvent include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl formamide, dimethylacetamide, methylethylketon, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, methyl acrylate, diethyltriamine, N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine, ethylene oxide, tetrahydrofuran. Aqueous solvent is to be used with adding of dispersion or rheology control agent.  
      Examples of the current collector for the positive and negative electrodes include iron, copper, stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum. The shape of these collectors is to be used with sheet, foam, mesh, porous, expanded grid, etc.  
      Examples of the non-aqueous solvent for electrolyte include ethylenecarbonate, propylenecarbonate, butylenecarbonate, trifluoropropylenecarbonate, γ-butyrolactone, sulfolane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, 3-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, methylacetate, ethylacetate, methylpropionate, ethylpropionate, dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate, ethylmethylcarbonate, dipropylcarbonate, methylpropylcarbonate, etc. and a mixture thereof. Additives selected from carbonates such as vinylenecarbonate, butylenecarbonate, etc., benzene compounds such as biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene, etc., sulfides such as propanesultone, etc., and a mixture thereof are to be used in the electrolyte.  
      The mixture with electrolyte and solid polymer is to be used. Crystalline and amorphous inorganic solid electrolytes are to be used. The former includes LiI, Li 3 N, Li 1+X M X Ti 2−X (PO 4 ) 3  (M═Al, Sc, Y, La), Li 0.5−3X R 0.5+X TiO 3  (R═La, Pr, Nd, Sm), thio-LISICON such as Li 4−X Ge 1−X P X S 4 , and the latter includes the glass such as LiI—Li 2 O—B 2 O 5  system, Li 2 O—SiO 2  system, LiI—Li 2 S—B 2 S 3  system, LiI—Li 2 S—SiS 2  system, Li 2 S—SiS 2 —Li 3 PO 4  system, etc.  
      Examples of the solute to be used for the non-aqueous electrolyte include LiPF 6 , LiClO 4 , LiBF 4 , LiAsF 6 , LiPF(CF 3 ) 5 , LiPF 2 (CF 3 ) 4 , LiPF 3 (CF 3 ) 3 , LiPF 4 (CF 3 ) 2 , LiPF 5 (CF 3 ), LiPF 3 (C 2 F 5 ) 3 , LiCF 3 SO 3 , LiN(SO 3 CF 3 ) 2 , LiN(SO 3 CF 2 CF 3 ) 3 , LiN(COCF 3 ) 2 , LiN(COCF 2 CF 3 ) 3 , LiC 4 BO 8 , and a mixture thereof. LiPF 6  is preferable as the solute for the good cycle performance. The concentration is preferable in the range from 0.5 to 2.0 mol dm −3 .  
      Examples of the separator to be used for the non-aqueous electrolyte include micro porous membrane such as nylon, cellulose acetate, nitro cellulose, polysulfone, polyacrylnytril, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyolefin.  
      The figuration of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells is to be used as various types of prismatic, elliptical, coin, button, sheet, etc.  
     EXAMPLES  
      The present invention is further described in the following examples, but the present invention should not be constructed as being limited by the following examples.  
     Example 1  
      FePO 4  powder with the number-average particle diameter of 80 nm was used as material M. First, the paste was prepared by mixing FePO 4  75 mass %, acetylene black (AB) 5 mass % as electro-conductive material, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 20 mass % in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Second, this paste was coated on the both sides of Al foil with 20 μm thickness and dried at 150° C. in vacuum. After that, the electrode containing FePO 4  was prepared by pressing on both sides with roll-press machine. Lithium was then absorbed into FePO 4  by immersion of this electrode into solution S1 obtained by dissolving 0.25 mol dm −3  naphthalene and saturated metallic lithium into diethylether (DEE) solvent for 3 days at 25° C. The electrode A1 containing FePO 4  absorbed lithium was finally obtained after washing by dimethylcarbonate and drying.  
      The paste was prepared by mixing natural graphite 92 mass % and PVDF 8 mass % in NMP. This paste was then coated on the both sides of Cu foil with 15 μm thickness and dried at 150° C. in vacuum. The electrode G containing natural graphite was finally prepared by pressing on both sides with roll-press machine.  
      The positive electrode A 1 , negative electrode B0, and 20 μm thickness polyethylene separator with the porosity of 40% were winded and inserted into the prismatic vessel with 48 mm high, 30 mm wide, and 4.2 mm thick. The non-aqueous electrolyte obtained by dissolving 1 mol dm −3  LiPF 6  into ethylenecarbonate (EC) and ethylmethylcarbonate (EMC) in the volume ratio of 1:1 was injected in this vessel. Thus, non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell was obtained by using the process for the production of the present invention.  
     Comparative Example 1  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the solution (T1) obtained by dissolving n-butyllithium into diethylether (DEE) solvent was used instead of S 1  as solution S.  
     Comparative Example 2  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the solution (T2) obtained by dissolving 0.25 mol dm −3  naphthalene and saturated LiPF 6  into diethylether (DEE) solvent was used instead of SI as solution S.  
      Electrochemical Test  
      Discharge capacity (1C mA) was measured under the condition that each cells were charged at the constant current of 450 mA (1C mA) to 4.5 V followed by the same value for 2 h in total and then discharged at the constant current of 450 mA (1C mA) to 0.5 V at 25° C.  
      After that, each cells were charged at the constant current of 450 mA (1C mA) to 4.5 V followed by the same value for 2 h in total and then discharged at the constant current of 4500 mA (10C mA) to 0.5 V at 25° C.  
      The ratio of the discharge capacity at the constant current of 10C mA to that of 1 C mA was calculated.  
      The test results of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by the process for the production of example 1, comparative example 1, and comparative example 2 are shown in table 1.  
                               TABLE 1                                          Discharge               Electrode   capacity   *Ratio of                                                 Negative   (1C mA)   discharge           Solution S   Positive electrode   electrode   mAh   capacity %                                                 Example 1   Metallic Li +   Lithium-absorbed   Natural   412   88           naphthalene +   FePO 4  (A1)   graphite           DEE (S1)       (G0)       Comparative   n-butyllithium +   Lithium-absorbed   Natural   281   69       example 1   DEE (T1)   FePO 4     graphite                   (G0)       Comparative   LiPF 6  +   FePO 4     Natural   14   23       example 2   naphthalene +       graphite           DEE (T2)       (G0)                  
 
      The following fact became clear from the result in table 1. The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using metallic Li and naphthalene of polycyclic aromatic compound for solution S as example 1 gave larger discharge capacity and better performance at high current compared with that by using n-butyllithium as comparative example 1. This reason is suggested that because impurities such as polymer of alkane when lithium moves from n-butyllithium to FePO 4  produced and remained without removing in the washing process by dimethylcarbonate in the case of using T1 for solution S, discharge capacity and performance at high current of the cells deteriorated. On the other hand, the lithium-absorption mechanism in the case of using solution S1 is considered as follows. Firstly, the complex solution dissolved naphthalene anion and lithium ion is formed by the reason that an electron moves from metallic lithium to naphthalene. Secondly, lithium ion is absorbed to FePO 4  after an electron moves from naphthalene anion to FePO 4 . Here, naphthalene anion returns to naphthalene, which has a role as catalyst in the lithium-absorption reaction. Impurities are not produced since a polymerization in the case of using n-butyllithium is not taken place after moving of electron from naphthalene anion to FePO 4 .  
      Lithium-absorption reaction hardly proceeds in the case of using T2 as solution S, because naphthalene anion is not produced by using LiPF 6  instead of metallic lithium. Therefore, the discharge capacity of non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell as comparative example 2 is significant small.  
      In addition, the same effect was also taken by using anthracene, phenanthrene, 1-methyl naphthalene, 2-methyl naphthalene, 1-fluoronaphthalene, 2-fluoronaphthalene, 2-ethyl naphthalene, naphthacene, pentacene, pyrene, picene, triphenylene, anthanthrene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, benzopyrene, benzofluorene, benzophenanthrene, benzofluoranthene, benzoperylene, coronene, chrysene, and hexabenzoperylene as polycyclic aromatic compound.  
     Example 2  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxypropane (1-MP) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 3  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 4  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxypentane (1-MPE) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 5  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 2-methoxybutane (1-MB) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 6  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that i-butylmethylether (i-BME) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 7  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Example 8  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Example 9  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and CoPO 4  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 10  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and MnPO 4  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 11  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and Fe 2 O 3  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 12  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and FeO instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 13  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and V 2 O 5  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 14  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and MnO 2  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 15  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and TiS 2  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Example 16  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and CoF 3  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Comparative Example 3  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 4  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 5  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 6  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that hexane (HS) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 7  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that hexane (HS) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 8  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that hexane (HS) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 9  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 10  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 11  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 12  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) instead of diethylether (DEE) and CoPO 4  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Comparative Example 13  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that hexane (HS) instead of diethylether (DEE) and CoPO 4  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
     Comparative Example 14  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) instead of diethylether (DEE) and CoPO 4  instead of FePO 4  were used.  
      The test results of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by the process for the production of example 1-16, and comparative example 3-14 are shown in table 2.  
                                   TABLE 2                                      Solution S       Discharge                                         Polycyclic       capacity   *Ratio of           aromatic   Electrode   (1C mA)   discharge                                             Solvent   compound   Positive electrode   Negative electrode   mAh    capacity %               Ex. 1   DEE   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   412   88                   (A1)       Ex. 2   1-MP   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   452   94       Ex. 3   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   465   98       Ex. 4   1-MPE   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   450   94       Ex. 5   2-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   452   91       Ex. 6   i-BME   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   455   93       Ex. 7   1-MB   Anthracene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   456   88       Ex. 8   1-MB   Phenanthrene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   454   89       Ex. 9   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed CoPO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   450   96       Ex. 10   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed   Natural graphite (G0)   453   95                   MnPO 4         Ex. 11   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed Fe 2 O 3     Natural graphite (G0)   435   90       Ex. 12   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FeO   Natural graphite (G0)   442   90       Ex. 13   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed V 2 O 5     Natural graphite (G0)   457   91       Ex. 14   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed MnO 2     Natural graphite (G0)   432   90       Ex. 15   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed TiS 2     Natural graphite (G0)   433   91       Ex. 16   1-MB   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed CoF 3     Natural graphite (G0)   442   90       Comp. Ex. 3   THF   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   298   72       Comp. Ex. 4   THF   Anthracene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   298   74       Comp. Ex. 5   THF   Phenanthrene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   295   69       Comp. Ex. 6   HS   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   240   62       Comp. Ex. 7   HS   Anthracene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   242   64       Comp. Ex. 8   HS   Phenanthrene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   234   60       Comp. Ex. 9   DME   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   305   71       Comp. Ex. 10   DME   Anthracene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   301   69       Comp. Ex. 11   DME   Phenanthrene   Li-absorbed FePO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   298   68       Comp. Ex. 12   THF   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed CoPO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   210   55       Comp. Ex. 13   HS   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed CoPO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   221   58       Comp. Ex. 14   DME   Naphthalene   Li-absorbed CoPO 4     Natural graphite (G0)   215   55                  
 
      The following fact became clear from the result in table 2. The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using chain monoether as example 1-16 were found out to give larger discharge capacity and better performance at high current compared with that by using cyclic ether as comparative example 3-5, 12, alkane as comparative example 6-8, 13, chain diether as comparative example 9-11, 14. The reason is not clear that the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using monoether with asymmetric molecule structure as example 2-6 gave much larger discharge capacity and much better performance at high current compared with that by using monoether with symmetric molecule structure as example 1. In addition, the same effect was also taken by using 2-methoxypentane, 1-methoxyhexane, 2-methoxyhexane, 3-methoxyhexane, 1-ethoxypropane, 1-ethoxybutane, 2-ethoxybutane, and isobutylmethylether as a solvent. The cell obtained by using 1-methoxybutane gave the largest discharge capacity and best performance at high current of all.  
      The reason is not clear that the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell obtained by using naphthalene as example 3 gave still better performance at high current compared with that by using the other polycyclic aromatic compounds as example 7 and example 8.  
      In addition, the same effect was also taken by using As 2 O 3 , V 2 O 3 , V 2 O 4 , CrO 3 , Cr 2 O 3 , Mn 2 O 3 , Mn 3 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 , NiF 3 , FeS 2 , and CoS 2 , besides FePO 4 , CoPO 4 , MnPO 4 , Fe 2 O 3 , FeO, V 2 O 5 , MnO 2 , TiS 2 , and CoF 3  as the examples for the material containing at least one sort of elements selected the transition metal, IIIB metal, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi in the periodic table.  
      The present invention is further described in the following examples, but the present invention should not be constructed as being limited by the following examples.  
     Example 17  
      SiO with phase separated between Si and SiO 2  were used as the material M. The XRD pattern of this SiO obtained by using CuKa showed that one of the peaks (20) was in the range from 46° to 49°, whose half maximum full width B gave the following value of B&lt;3° (20). First, the paste was prepared by mixing this SiO 75 mass %, AB 5 mass %, and PVDF 20 mass % in NMP. Second, this paste was coated on the both sides of Cu foil with 15 μm thickness and dried at 150° C. in vacuum. After that, the electrode (BO) containing SiO was prepared by pressing on both sides with roll-press machine. Lithium was then absorbed into SiO by immersion of this electrode into solution S1 obtained by dissolving 0.25 mol dm −3  naphthalene and saturated metallic lithium into diethylether (DEE) solvent for 3 days at 25° C. The electrode B1 containing SiO absorbed lithium was finally obtained after washing by dimethylcarbonate and drying.  
      The positive electrode A0, negative electrode B1, and 20 μm thickness polyethylene separator with the porosity of 40% were winded and inserted into the prismatic vessel with 48 mm high, 30 mm wide, and 4.2 mm thick. The non-aqueous electrolyte obtained by dissolving 1 mol dm −3  LiPF 6  into EC and EMC in the volume ratio of 1:1 was injected in this vessel. Thus, the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell was obtained.  
     Comparative Example 15  
      LiFePO 4  was prepared by the mechanical reaction with LiOH.H 2 O, Fe 2 O 3 , and (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 . First, the paste was prepared by mixing this LiFePO 4  75 mass %, AB 5 mass %, and PVDF 20 mass % in NMP. Second, this paste was coated on the both sides of Al foil with 20 μm thickness and dried at 150° C. in vacuum. After that, the electrode containing the LiFePO 4  was prepared by pressing on both sides with roll-press machine.  
      This LiFePO 4  positive electrode, negative electrode B0, and 20 μm thickness polyethylene separator with the porosity of 40% were winded and inserted into the prismatic vessel with 48 mm high, 30 mm wide, and 4.2 mm thick. The non-aqueous electrolyte obtained by dissolving 1 mol dm −3  LiPF 6  into EC and EMC in the volume ratio of 1:1 was injected in this vessel. Thus, the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell was obtained.  
     Comparative Example 16  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that the solution (T1) obtained by dissolving n-butyllithium into diethylether (DEE) solvent was used instead of S1 as solution S.  
     Comparative Example 17  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that the solution (T2) obtained by dissolving 0.25 mol dm −3  naphthalene and saturated LiPF 6  into diethylether (DEE) solvent was used instead of SI as solution S.  
      Cell Thickness Test  
      Each cells were charged at the constant current of 450 mA (1C mA) to 4.5 V followed by the same value for 2 h in total. And then, thickness of the charged cell was measured in the central part by using slide gauge.  
      The test results of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by the process for the production of example 17, comparative example 15-17 are shown in table 3.  
                                           TABLE 3                                               Discharge                       Electrode       capacity   *Ratio of   Cell               Positive   Negative   (1C mA)   discharge   thickness           Solution S   electrode   electrode   mAh   capacity %   mm                                                                Ex. 17   Metallic Li +   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   461   86   4.31           naphthalene +   (A0)   SiO (B1)           DEE (S1)       Comp.   —   Li FePO 4     SiO (B0)   380   90   4.80       Ex. 15       Comp.   n-butyllithium +   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   295   66   4.65       Ex. 16   DEE (T1)   (A0)   SiO       Comp.   LiPF 6  +   FePO 4     SiO   6   23   4.30       Ex. 17   naphthalene +   (A0)           DEE (T2)                  
 
      The following fact became clear from the result in table 3. The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells as example 17, which are obtained by using SiO as the material M containing at least one sort of elements selected the transition metal, IIIB metal, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi in the periodic table, were found out to give larger discharge capacity and better performance at high current. This fact is that this process for the product is also applicable to prepare a negative active material. Moreover, the thickness of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell as example 17 in the charged state was smaller than that as comparative example 15. From this result, increase of cell thickness caused by volume expansion of SiO with charging was found to reduce by applying the present invention to the negative electrode. Since this method eliminates the need for the electrochemical method or attachment of lithium to the electrode, simplification and cost reduction of the process are to be attained.  
      The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using metallic Li and naphthalene of polycyclic aromatic compound for solution S as example 17 gave larger discharge capacity and better performance at high current compared with that by using n-butyllithium as comparative example 16. This reason is suggested that because impurities such as polymer of alkane when lithium moves from n-butyllithium to SiO produced and remained without removing in the washing process by dimethylcarbonate in the case of using T1 for solution S, discharge capacity and performance at high current of the cell deteriorated.  
      Lithium-absorption reaction hardly proceeds in the case of using T2 as solution S, because naphthalene anion is not produced by using LiPF 6  instead of metallic lithium. Therefore, the discharge capacity of non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell as comparative example 17 is significant small.  
      In addition, the same effect was also taken by using anthracene, phenanthrene, 1-methyl naphthalene, 2-methyl naphthalene, 1-fluoronaphthalene, 2-fluoronaphthalene, 2-ethyl naphthalene, naphthacene, pentacene, pyrene, picene, triphenylene, anthanthrene, acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, benzopyrene, benzofluorene, benzophenanthrene, benzofluoranthene, benzoperylene, coronene, chrysene, and hexabenzoperylene as polycyclic aromatic compound.  
     Example 18  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Example 19  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Example 20  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that 1-methoxybutane (1-MB) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 18  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 19  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 20  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that tetrahydrofulane (THF) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 21  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that hexane (HS) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 22  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that hexane (HS) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 23  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that hexane (HS) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 24  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) was used instead of diethylether (DEE).  
     Comparative Example 25  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) instead of diethylether (DEE) and anthracene instead of naphthalene were used.  
     Comparative Example 26  
      The non-aqueous electrochemical cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 17 except that dimethoxyethane (DME) instead of diethylether (DEE) and phenanthrene instead of naphthalene were used.  
      The test results of the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by the process for the production of example 17-20, comparative example 18-26 are shown in table 4.  
                                   TABLE 4                                      Solution S   Electrode   Discharge                                                         Polycyclic           capacity   *Ratio of   Cell               aromatic   Positive   Negative   (1C mA)   discharge   thickness           Solvent   compound   electrode   electrode   mAh   capacity %   mm               Ex. 17   DEE   Naphthalene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   461   86   4.31                   (A0)   SiO (B1)       Ex. 18   1-MB   Naphthalene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   472   98   4.28                   (A0)   SiO       Ex. 19   1-MB   Anthracene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   459   91   4.33                   (A0)   SiO       Ex. 20   1-MB   Phenanthrene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   460   91   4.33                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 18   THF   Naphthalene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   302   71   4.65                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 19   THF   Anthracene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   314   69   4.71                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 20   THF   Phenanthrene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   319   67   4.70                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 21   HS   Naphthalene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   299   70   4.64                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 22   HS   Anthracene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   301   67   4.69                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 23   HS   Phenanthrene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   304   64   4.71                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 24   DME   Naphthalene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   289   67   4.65                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 25   DME   Anthracene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   291   62   4.72                   (A0)   SiO       Comp. Ex. 26   DME   Phenanthrene   FePO 4     Li-absorbed   295   63   4.72                   (A0)   SiO                  
 
      The following fact became clear from the result in table 4. The non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using chain monoether as example 17-20 were found out to give larger discharge capacity and better performance at high current compared with that by using cyclic ether as comparative example 18-20, alkane as comparative example 21-23, chain diether as comparative example 24-26. The reason is not clear that the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cells obtained by using monoether with asymmetric molecule structure as example 18-20 gave much larger discharge capacity and much better performance at high current compared with that by using monoether with symmetric molecule structure as example 17. In addition, the same effect was also taken by using 2-methoxypentane, 1-methoxyhexane, 2-methoxyhexane, 3-methoxyhexane, 1-ethoxypropane, 1-ethoxybutane, 2-ethoxybutane, and isobutylmethylether as a solvent. The cell obtained by using 1-methoxybutane gave the largest discharge capacity and best performance at high current of all.  
      The reason is not clear that the non-aqueous electrolyte electrochemical cell obtained by using naphthalene as example 18 gave still better performance at high current compared with that by using the other polycyclic aromatic compounds as example 19 and example 20.  
      In addition, the same effect was also taken by using GeO, GeO 2 , PbO, PbO 2 , Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 , Bi 2 O 5 , SnO, SnO 2 , SnSi 0.01 O 1.09 , SnGe 0.01 O 1.09 , SnPb 0.01 O 1.09 , SnB 2 O 4 , SnSiAl 0.2 P 0.2 O 0.3 , In 2 O 3 , Tl 2 O, Tl 2 O 3 , SnS, SnS 2 , GeS, GeS 2 , Sb 2 S 5 , Si 3 N 4 , AlN, CoO, CO 3 O 4 , CO 2 O 3 , NiO, TiO 2 , TiO, MnO, CuO, Cu 2 O, ZnO, CoS, Mn 2 P, CO 2 P, and Fe 3 P, besides SiO as the example for the material containing at least one sort of elements selected the transition metal, IIIB metal, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi in the periodic table.