Patent ID: 8551658

Claim:
A process for producing a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula Li p N x M y O z F a , wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than N, 0.9≦p≦1.2, 0.95≦x≦2.00, 0≦y≦0.05, 1.9≦z≦4.2 and 0≦a≦0.05, which comprises firing a mixture of a lithium source, an N element source, an M element source and when a is greater than 0, a fluorine source, wherein a slurry is formed by mixing an aqueous solution having an M element source dissolved therein with (1) either an N element source powder or (2) a pulverized product of the N element source powder; optionally after being pulverized, the slurry is dried for granulation to obtain a granulated product, which is mixed with a lithium source powder and when a is greater than 0, a fluorine source powder to obtain a mixture; and the mixture is fired at from 700 to 1,100° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, wherein the aqueous solution having an M element source dissolved therein is an aqueous solution comprising a salt of a carboxylic acid which has at least one carboxyl group, and at least one hydroxyl group, at least one carbonyl group, or at least one hydroxyl group and one carbonyl group, and the slurry is dried for granulation by spray-drying.