JP7683531B2 - Composite particle, positive electrode, all-solid-state battery, and method for producing composite particle - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to composite particles, positive electrodes, all-solid-state batteries, and methods for producing composite particles.

Patent Publication No. 4982866 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology in which, in an all-solid-state lithium battery (sulfide-based all-solid-state battery) using a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte (sulfide solid electrolyte), the surface of the positive electrode active material is coated with a lithium ion conductive oxide, and the lithium ion conductive oxide is interposed between the positive electrode active material and the sulfide solid electrolyte, thereby suppressing the formation of a high resistance layer at the contact interface between the sulfide solid electrolyte and the positive electrode active material at high potential.

Patent No. 4982866

In sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "all-solid-state batteries"), if the sulfide solid electrolyte comes into direct contact with the positive electrode active material particles, etc., the sulfide solid electrolyte may deteriorate. The deterioration of the sulfide solid electrolyte (ion conduction path) may increase the battery resistance. Therefore, it has been proposed to form a coating film on the surface of the positive electrode active material particles. The coating film prevents direct contact between the positive electrode active material particles and the sulfide solid electrolyte, thereby reducing the deterioration of the sulfide solid electrolyte.

Conventionally, _LiNbO3 and _Li3PO4 are known as materials for coating films. _LiNbO3 can have a lower resistance _{than Li3PO4} . Therefore, _LiNbO3 is becoming more _and more popular. However, according to the new findings of the present inventors, phosphorus compounds such as _Li3PO4 are superior to _LiNbO3 in terms of durability under _high voltage. Therefore, the development of a phosphorus-based coating film having a low resistance is desired.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide a coating film with low resistance.

[1] A positive electrode active material particle and a coating film covering at least a part of the surface of the positive electrode active material particle,
The coating film contains at least one of a first element which is a glass network forming element and a second element which is a transition element,
Composite particles, wherein a peak having a peak top is present in the range of 600 to 200 cm ⁻¹ in a Raman spectroscopy spectrum of a cross section of the coating film.

The composite particles of [1] above can provide a coating film with low resistance (especially a phosphorus-based coating film with excellent durability under high voltage).

The present inventors have investigated the Raman spectroscopy spectra of various coating films and found that, as a result of examining the Raman spectroscopy spectra of various coating films, when a coating film containing at least one of a first element (a glass network forming element) and a second element (a transition element) has at least one peak having a peak top within a range of 600 to 200 cm ⁻¹ (in terms of Raman shift value) in the Raman spectroscopy spectrum of its cross section, the coating film has low resistance.

[2] The composite particle according to [1], wherein the first element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of boron, silicon, nitrogen, sulfur, germanium, and hydrogen.

[3] The composite particle according to [1] or [2], wherein the second element is at least one selected from the group consisting of second transition elements and third transition elements.

[4] The composite particle according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film further includes peaks having peak tops within the ranges of 1250 to 1050 ^{cm −1} and 800 to ⁶³⁰ cm −1.

The present inventors have investigated the Raman spectroscopy spectra of various coating films, and as a result have found that, for a coating film containing at least one of a first element (a glass network forming element) and a second element (a transition element), when the Raman spectroscopy spectrum of the cross section of the coating film further contains peaks having peak tops within the ranges of 1250 to 1050 cm ⁻¹ and 800 to 630 cm ⁻¹ (in terms of Raman shift value), the coating film is expected to have low resistance and excellent durability under high voltage.

[5] The coating film contains a phosphorus compound,
the phosphorus compound contains phosphorus and at least one of the first element and the second element,
The composite particle according to claim 1 , wherein the coating film satisfies the following formula (1):

C _Li /(C _P +C _E1 +C _E2 )≦2.5…(1)

(In the above formula (1),
C _Li , C _P , C _E1 , and C _E2 are element concentrations measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;
C _Li represents the elemental concentration of lithium,
C _P represents the elemental concentration of phosphorus,
C _E1 represents the element concentration of the first element,
C _E2 indicates the element concentration of the second element.

In the conventional phosphorus-based coating film (Li ₃ PO ₄ ), the Li composition ratio is "3.0". In Li ₃ PO ₄ , Li ⁺ is considered to be a carrier. Therefore, the more carriers there are, the more improved ion conductivity is expected. In other words, the higher the Li composition ratio in the phosphorus compound, the more reduced the battery resistance is expected.

However, according to the new findings of the present disclosure, when the composition ratio of Li in the phosphorus compound is small and a specific element is added to the phosphorus compound, ion conductivity equal to or greater than that of LiNbO ₃ can be exhibited. That is, the composite particles satisfy the relationship of the above formula (1), and the phosphorus compound includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of the first element and the second element.

The first element is a glass network forming element. The first element can form an oxide glass having a network structure by bonding with oxygen (O). The coating film (e.g., a phosphorus compound) is considered to be an oxide. By adding the first element to the coating film, multiple types of anions such as "PO _x ^a- ", "BO _y ^b- ", and "SiO _z ^c- " can be generated in the coating film. The coexistence of multiple types of anions can produce a mixed anion effect. The mixed anion effect can promote the movement of carriers (cations). Furthermore, it is considered that the small amount of carriers further promotes the movement of carriers.

The second element is a transition element. The transition element has an ionic radius larger than that of P. When the coating film contains phosphorus (a phosphorus compound), the addition of the second element may inhibit crystallization of the phosphorus compound. That is, partial structural defects (disorder) may be introduced into the phosphorus compound. The introduction of structural defects may promote carrier movement. Furthermore, it is believed that the small amount of carriers further promotes carrier movement.

Due to the synergistic effects of the above, the phosphorus-based coating film of the present disclosure can have a low resistance equal to or greater than that of LiNbO _3. Since the phosphorus-based coating film has a low resistance, it is expected to achieve both durability under high voltage and high output.

[6] A positive electrode comprising the composite particles according to any one of [1] to [5] and a sulfide solid electrolyte.

[7] An all-solid-state battery comprising the positive electrode described in [6].

[8] (a) preparing a mixture by mixing a coating liquid and positive electrode active material particles; and (b) producing composite particles by drying the mixture.
Including,
The coating liquid includes a solute and a solvent,
The solute contains at least one of a first element which is a glass network forming element and a second element which is a transition element;
A method for producing composite particles.

When the coating liquid attached to the surface of the positive electrode active material particles dries, a coating film can be formed on the surface of the positive electrode active material particles. In other words, the coating film described in [1] above can be formed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing Raman spectroscopy spectra of the composite particles (coating films) of the examples and comparative examples. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a composite particle in the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an all-solid-state battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for producing composite particles in the present embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "this embodiment") and an example of the present disclosure (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "this example") are described. However, this embodiment and this example do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

In this specification, elements expressed in the singular form also include the plural form unless otherwise specified. For example, a "particle" can mean not only "one particle" but also "an aggregate of particles (powder, powder, particle group)."

When a compound is expressed by a stoichiometric composition formula (e.g., "LiCoO ₂ ", etc.), the stoichiometric composition formula is merely a representative example of the compound. The compound may have a non-stoichiometric composition. For example, when lithium cobalt oxide is expressed as "LiCoO ₂ ", unless otherwise specified, the lithium cobalt oxide is not limited to a composition ratio of "Li/Co/O = 1/1/2" and may contain Li, Co and O in any composition ratio. Furthermore, doping, substitution, etc. with trace elements may also be allowed.

<Composite particles>
2, the composite particle 5 includes a positive electrode active material particle 1 and a coating film 2. The composite particle 5 can be referred to as, for example, a "coated positive electrode active material".

The composite particles 5 may form, for example, an aggregate. That is, one composite particle 5 may contain two or more positive electrode active material particles 1. The composite particles 5 may have, for example, a D50 of 1 to 50 μm, a D50 of 1 to 20 μm, or a D50 of 5 to 15 μm.

In this specification, "D50" refers to the particle size at which the cumulative frequency from the small particle size side reaches 50% in the volume-based particle size distribution. D50 can be measured by a laser diffraction method.

<Coating film>
The coating film 2 covers at least a part of the surface of the positive electrode active material particle 1. The coating film 2 is a shell of the composite particle 5.

The coating film 2 contains at least one of a first element (E1) and a second element (E2). E1 and E2 will be described later.

In the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film 2 (the portion of the coating film 2 in the cross section of the composite particle 5), there is a peak having a peak top (maximum position) within the Raman shift value range of 600 to 200 cm ^-1 .

In the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film 2, it is preferable that there are peaks having peak tops within the Raman shift value ranges of 1250 to 1050 cm ^-1 and 800 to 630 cm ^-1 .

The Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film 2 can be obtained by various known methods using a Raman spectrometer. The above peak is, for example, a peak that is detected when the S/N ratio is set to 30 or more. The cross section sample is prepared according to the same procedure as described below (film thickness measurement).

(Phosphorus compounds)
The coating film 2 may further contain phosphorus (P). The coating film 2 may contain, for example, a phosphorus compound.

The phosphorus compound contains at least one of a first element (E1) and a second element (E2), and P. In this specification, the first element may be abbreviated as "E1" and the second element may be abbreviated as "E2."

The first element (E1) is an element with glass-forming ability (glass network forming element), that is, an element that can form an oxide glass having a network structure by bonding with O. The addition of E1 is expected to produce a mixed anion effect.

E1 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of boron (B), silicon (Si), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), germanium (Ge), and hydrogen (H). E1 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of B and Si. E1 may form an oxide glass by itself. E1 may form a composite oxide glass together with P.

The second element (E2) is a transition element. "Transition elements" are elements in groups 3 to 11 of the periodic table.

E2 has a larger ionic radius than P. E2 can inhibit the crystallization of phosphorus compounds. E2 is, for example, at least one element selected from the group consisting of first transition elements (3d transition elements), second transition elements (4d transition elements), third transition elements (5d, 4f transition elements), and fourth transition elements. E2 is, for example, at least one element selected from the group consisting of second transition elements and third transition elements. The third transition elements include lanthanoids. That is, E2 may include, for example, lanthanoids.

E2 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), scandium (Sc), copper (Cu), Y, zirconium (Zr), molybdenum (Mo), technetium (Tc), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), rhenium (Re), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), and gold (Au).
E2 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Zr, and Y. E2 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, and Y.

The ratio of P contained in the phosphorus compound (or composite particle) is, for example, 1 to 10 mass % relative to the total amount of the composite particle 5.

The phosphorus compound may further contain, for example, Li, O, carbon (C), etc.

The phosphorus compound may include, for example, a phosphate skeleton. That is, the phosphorus compound may be a phosphate compound. When the phosphorus compound includes a phosphate skeleton, fragments such as PO ₂ - and PO ₃ ^- can be detected by analyzing the composite particle 5 by, for example, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF ^- SIMS).

In the coating film (or phosphorus compound), the Li composition ratio "C _Li /(C _P +C _E1 +C _E2 )" is 2.5 or less [see formula (1)]. When the Li composition ratio is 2.5 or less and at least one of E1 and E2 is present, the battery resistance can be significantly reduced.

The Li composition ratio may be, for example, 2.38 or less, 2.26 or less, 2.18 or less, 2.03 or less, 1.89 or less, 1.73 or less, 1.42 or less, or 1.1 or less. The Li composition ratio may be, for example, 0.1 or more, 0.5 or more, or 1.05 or more. The Li composition ratio may be, for example, 1.05 to 2.38.
The composition ratio of Li may be zero. That is, Li may not be present on the surface of the coating film (composite particle), and the coating film (or the phosphorus compound) may not contain Li at all.

(XPS Measurement of Li Composition Ratio)
The Li composition ratio "C _Li /(C _P +C _E1 +C _E2 )" on the surface of the composite particle can be measured by XPS in the following procedure. An XPS device is prepared. For example, an XPS device "Product name PHI X-tool" (or an equivalent product) manufactured by ULVAC-PHI, Inc. may be used. A sample powder consisting of composite particles is set in the XPS device. Narrow scan analysis is performed with a pass energy of 224 eV. The measurement data is processed by analysis software. For example, analysis software "Product name MulTiPak" (or an equivalent product) manufactured by ULVAC-PHI, Inc. may be used. The peak area (integral value) of the Li1s spectrum is converted to the elemental concentration of Li (C _Li ). The peak area of the P2p spectrum is converted to the elemental concentration of P (C _P ). Appropriate spectra are selected for E1 and E2 depending on their types. For example, in the case of B, the peak area of the B1s spectrum is converted to the element concentration of B (C _E1 ). For example, in the case of La, the peak area of the La3d5 spectrum is converted to the element concentration of La (C _E2 ). The composition ratio of Li on the particle surface is obtained by dividing C _{Li by} the sum of C _P , C _E1 and C _E2 .

For example, when a coating film contains multiple types of E1, C _E1 indicates the total element concentration of the multiple types of E1. The same applies to E2 and C _E2 .

The composition ratio "C _Li /(C _P +C _E1 +C _E2 )" by XPS reflects the composition ratio of Li in the coating film (phosphorus compound), but is not equivalent to the composition ratio of Li in the coating film. This is because the composition of the base (positive electrode active material particles) may also be reflected in XPS. For example, if Li in the base is detected in XPS, the composition ratio of Li by XPS may be larger than the Li composition ratio in the actual coating film.

The chemical composition of the phosphorus compound may be represented, for example, by the following formula (2).
Li _w E ¹ _x E ² _y PO _z …(2)
In the above formula (2), ^E1 represents E1. ^E2 represents E2. w, x, y, and z are arbitrary numbers. w, x, y, and z can be identified, for example, by analyzing the portion of the coating film 2 on the cross section of the composite particle 5 by STEM-EDX (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) or the like. The cross-sectional sample is prepared according to the same procedure as described later (film thickness measurement).

Specific examples of the phosphorus compound include at least one selected from the group consisting of Li ₃ PO ₄ (LPO), BPO ₄ (BPO) and POx (P ₄ O _6, P ₂ O ₅ , etc.).

In the composite particle 5, the coverage of the coating film 2 on the surface of the positive electrode active material particle 1 may be, for example, 70% or more. A coverage of 70% or more is expected to reduce the battery resistance. The coverage may be, for example, 85% or more, 88% or more, 89% or more, 90% or more, 94% or more, 95% or more, or 97% or more. The coverage may be, for example, 100% or less, or 99% or less. The coverage may be, for example, 85 to 97%, or 90 to 97%.

(XPS Measurement of Coverage Ratio)
The coverage is also measured by XPS. The measurement data obtained in the same manner as in the above (XPS measurement of Li composition ratio) except that the pass energy is set to 120 eV is analyzed, and the ratio (element concentration) of each element is obtained from each peak area (intensity value) of C1s, O1s, P1s, M2p3, etc. The coverage is calculated by the following formula (3).
θ=(P+E1+E2)/(P+E1+E2+M)×100...(3)
In the above formula (3), θ represents the coverage (%), and P, E1, E2, and M represent the ratios of each element.

“M2p3” and M in the above formula (3) are constituent elements of the positive electrode active material particles and represent an element other than Li and O. That is, the positive electrode active material particles may be represented by the following formula (4).
_LiMO2 ... (4)
M may be composed of one element or multiple elements. M may be, for example, at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and aluminum (Al). When M contains multiple elements, the sum of the composition ratios of the elements may be 1.

For example, when the positive electrode active material particles are "LiNi _1/3 Co _1/3 Mn _1/3 O ₂ ", the above formula (3) can be transformed into the following formula (3').
θ=(P+E1+E2)/(P+E1+E2+Ni+Co+Mn)×100...(3')
In the above formula (3'), Ni represents the element ratio of nickel determined from the peak area of Ni2p3, Co represents the element ratio of cobalt determined from the peak area of Co2p3, and Mn represents the element ratio of manganese determined from the peak area of Mn2p3.

The coating film 2 may have a thickness of, for example, 5 to 100 nm, 5 to 50 nm, 10 to 30 nm, or 20 to 30 nm.

(Film thickness measurement)
The film thickness (thickness of the coating film) can be measured by the following procedure. A sample is prepared by embedding composite particles in a resin material. A cross-section is processed on the sample by an ion milling device. For example, an ion milling device "Product name Arblade (registered trademark) 5000" (or an equivalent product) manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation may be used. The cross-section of the sample is observed by a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). For example, an SEM device "Product name SU8030" (or an equivalent product) manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation may be used. For 10 composite particles, the film thickness is measured in 20 fields of view. The arithmetic average of the film thicknesses at a total of 200 points is regarded as the film thickness.

In addition, by using composite particles that contain the above-mentioned phosphorus compound and have a phosphorus-based coating film with low resistance in the positive electrode and battery, it is expected that durability under high voltage and high output can be achieved at the same time.

《Cathode active material particles》
The positive electrode active material particle 1 is a core of the composite particle 5. The positive electrode active material particle 1 may be a secondary particle (aggregation of primary particles). The positive electrode active material particle 1 (secondary particle) may have, for example, a D50 of 1 to 50 μm, a D50 of 1 to 20 μm, or a D50 of 5 to 15 μm. The primary particle may have, for example, a maximum Feret diameter of 0.1 to 3 μm.

The positive electrode active material particles 1 may contain any component. The positive electrode active material particles 1 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, LiCoO ₂ , LiNiO ₂ , LiMnO ₂ , LiMn ₂ O ₄ , Li(NiCoMn)O ₂ , Li(NiCoAl)O ₂ , and LiFePO _4. For example, "(NiCoMn)" in "Li(NiCoMn)O ₂ " indicates that the sum of the composition ratios in parentheses is 1. As long as the sum is 1, the amount of each component is arbitrary. _Li (NiCoMn) _O2 may include, for example, Li(Ni1 _{/ 3Co1} / _{3Mn1 / 3} ) _O2 , Li( _{Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3} ) _O2 , Li _{(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1 ) O2,} etc.

<All-solid-state battery>
3 is a conceptual diagram showing an all-solid-state battery in this embodiment. The all-solid-state battery 100 may include, for example, an exterior body (not shown). The exterior body may be, for example, a pouch made of a metal foil laminate film. The exterior body may house a power generating element 50. The power generating element 50 includes a positive electrode 10, a separator layer 30, and a negative electrode 20. That is, the all-solid-state battery 100 includes a positive electrode 10, a separator layer 30, and a negative electrode 20.

《Positive electrode》
The positive electrode 10 is layered. The positive electrode 10 may include, for example, a positive electrode active material layer and a positive electrode current collector. For example, the positive electrode active material layer may be formed by applying a positive electrode mixture to the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector may include, for example, an Al foil or the like. The positive electrode current collector may have a thickness of, for example, 5 to 50 μm.

The positive electrode active material layer may have a thickness of, for example, 10 to 200 μm. The positive electrode active material layer is in close contact with the separator layer 30. The positive electrode active material layer includes a positive electrode composite material. The positive electrode composite material includes composite particles (coated positive electrode active material) and a sulfide solid electrolyte. That is, the positive electrode 10 includes composite particles and a sulfide solid electrolyte. Details of the composite particles are as described above.

The sulfide solid electrolyte can form an ion conduction path in the positive electrode active material layer. The amount of the sulfide solid electrolyte may be, for example, 1 to 200 parts by volume, 50 to 150 parts by volume, or 50 to 100 parts by volume, relative to 100 parts by volume of the composite particles (positive electrode active material). The sulfide solid electrolyte includes S. The sulfide solid electrolyte may include, for example, Li, P, and S. The sulfide solid electrolyte may further include, for example, O, Si, etc. The sulfide solid electrolyte may further include, for example, a halogen, etc. The sulfide solid electrolyte may further include, for example, iodine (I), bromine (Br), etc. The sulfide solid electrolyte may be, for example, a glass ceramic type or an argyrodite type. The sulfide solid electrolyte may include at least _{one selected from the group} consisting _{of , for example, LiI-LiBr-Li3PS4, Li2S-SiS2, LiI-Li2S-SiS2 , LiI - Li2S - P2S5 , LiI} - _Li2O - _{Li2S -P2S5 ,} LiI- _{Li2S -P2O5 ,} LiI- _{Li3PO4 - P2S5 ,} Li2S- _P2S5 , and _{Li3PS4 .}

For example, "LiI-LiBr-Li ₃ PS ₄ " indicates a sulfide solid electrolyte produced by mixing LiI, LiBr, and Li ₃ PS ₄ in any molar ratio. For example, the sulfide solid electrolyte may be produced by a mechanochemical method. "Li ₂ S-P ₂ S ₅ " includes Li ₃ PS _4. Li ₃ PS ₄ can be produced, for example, by mixing Li ₂ S and P ₂ S ₅ in "Li ₂ S/P ₂ S ₅ = 75/25 (molar ratio)".

The positive electrode active material layer may further contain, for example, a conductive material. The conductive material may form an electronic conduction path within the positive electrode active material layer. The amount of the conductive material may be, for example, 0.1 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the composite particles (positive electrode active material). The conductive material may contain any component. The conductive material may contain, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon black, vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and graphene flakes.

The positive electrode active material layer may further contain, for example, a binder. The amount of binder may be, for example, 0.1 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the composite particles (positive electrode active material). The binder may contain any component. The binder may contain, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVdF-HFP), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

《Negative electrode》
The negative electrode 20 is layered. The negative electrode 20 may include, for example, a negative electrode active material layer and a negative electrode current collector. For example, the negative electrode active material layer may be formed by applying a negative electrode mixture to the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector may include, for example, a Cu foil, a Ni foil, or the like. The negative electrode current collector may have a thickness of, for example, 5 to 50 μm.

The negative electrode active material layer may have a thickness of, for example, 10 to 200 μm. The negative electrode active material layer is in close contact with the separator layer 30. The negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode mixture. The negative electrode mixture includes a negative electrode active material particle and a sulfide solid electrolyte. The negative electrode mixture may further include a conductive material and a binder. The sulfide solid electrolyte may be the same or different between the negative electrode mixture and the positive electrode mixture. The negative electrode active material particles may include any component. The negative electrode active material particles may include at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, graphite, Si, SiO _x (0<x<2), and Li ₄ Ti ₅ O ₁₂ .

<Separator layer>
The separator layer 30 is interposed between the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 20. The separator layer 30 separates the positive electrode 10 from the negative electrode 20. The separator layer 30 includes a sulfide solid electrolyte. The separator layer 30 may further include a binder. The sulfide solid electrolyte may be the same or different between the separator layer 30 and the positive electrode composite. The sulfide solid electrolyte may be the same or different between the separator layer 30 and the negative electrode composite.

<Method of Manufacturing Composite Particles>
4 is a schematic flow chart of the method for producing composite particles in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the "method for producing composite particles in this embodiment" may be abbreviated as "this production method". This production method includes "(a) preparation of a mixture" and "(b) production of composite particles". This production method may further include, for example, "(c) heat treatment" or the like.

(a) Preparation of the mixture
The present manufacturing method includes preparing a mixture by mixing a coating liquid with positive electrode active material particles (applying the coating liquid to the surfaces of the positive electrode active material particles). Details of the positive electrode active material particles are as described above.

The mixture may be, for example, a suspension or a wet powder, and it is sufficient that the coating liquid adheres to the surfaces of the positive electrode active material particles in the mixture. For example, a suspension may be formed by dispersing positive electrode active material particles (powder) in a coating liquid. For example, a wet powder may be formed by spraying a coating liquid into a powder containing positive electrode active material particles. In this manufacturing method, any mixing device, granulating device, etc. may be used.

The coating liquid contains a solute (including a solute and a dispersoid) and a solvent (a solvent and a dispersion medium or a solvent). The solute contains at least one of a first element (E1) and a second element (E2) as a raw material for the coating film. The solute may further contain phosphorus (P). The coating liquid may further contain, for example, a suspended solid (undissolved component), a precipitate, etc.

The total amount of solutes may be, for example, 0.1 to 20 parts by mass, 1 to 15 parts by mass, or 5 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the solvent.

The solvent may contain any component as long as the solute dissolves in the solvent. The solvent may contain, for example, water, alcohol, etc. The solvent may contain, for example, ion-exchanged water, etc.

The details of E1 and E2 are as described above.
The solute may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxoacid of E1 and an oxide of E1. The solute may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of boric acid, silicic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and germanic acid. The solute may include, for example, orthoboric acid, metaboric acid, etc.
The solute may include, for example, an oxide of E2. The solute may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, and yttrium oxide.

The solute may include, for example, a phosphoric acid compound. This allows the solute to include P. The phosphoric acid compound may be, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of phosphoric anhydride (P ₂ O ₅ ), orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid [(HPO ₃ ) _n ], and polyphosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid compound may be, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of metaphosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid. Metaphosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid may have a longer molecular chain than other phosphoric acid compounds. It is believed that the phosphoric acid compound has a longer molecular chain, which makes it easier to generate a coating film having continuity. For example, an improvement in coverage is expected due to the coating film having continuity.

In the above coating liquid, for example, the relationship of the following formula (5) may be satisfied.
0.040<( _nE1 + _nE2 ) _{/nP≦1.51…} (5)
In the above formula (5),
n _P represents the molar concentration of P in the coating liquid.
n _E1 represents the molar concentration of the first element in the coating liquid.
n _E2 represents the molar concentration of the second element in the coating liquid.

"(n _E1 + n _E2 )/n _P " represents the molar ratio (substance amount ratio) of the sum of the first element (E1) and the second element (E2) to P in the coating liquid. When the molar ratio is more than 0.040 and not more than 1.51, a reduction in battery resistance is expected.

The molar ratio may be, for example, 1.03 or less, 0.67 or less, 0.48 or less, 0.098 or less, or 0.051 or less. The molar ratio may be, for example, 0.048 or more, or 0.10 or more. The molar ratio may be, for example, 0.048 to 1.03.

(ICP measurement)
The molar ratio "(n _E1 +n _E2 )/n _P " in the coating liquid is measured by the following procedure. 100 mL of sample liquid is prepared by diluting 0.01 g of the coating liquid with pure water. Aqueous solutions of P, E1, and E2 (1000 ppm, 10000 ppm) are prepared. A standard solution is prepared by diluting 0.01 g of the aqueous solution with pure water. An ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy) device is prepared. The emission intensity of the standard solution is measured by the ICP-AES device. A calibration curve is created from the emission intensity of the standard solution. The emission intensity of the sample liquid (diluted solution of the coating liquid) is measured by the ICP-AES device. The mass concentrations of P, E1, and E2 in the coating liquid are determined from the emission intensity of the sample liquid and the calibration curve. Furthermore, the mass concentrations of P, E1, and E2 are converted to molar concentrations. The molar ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of the molar concentration of E1 (n _E1 ) and the molar concentration of E2 (n _E2 ) by the molar concentration of P (n _P ).

The solute may further contain Li, for example, a lithium compound. The lithium compound may be, for example, lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate, etc.

The molar ratio of Li to the total of P, E1 and E2, "n _Li / (n _P + n _E1 + n _E2 )", may be, for example, less than 1.1, 1.0 or less, 0.45 or less, 0.1 or less, or 0.05 or less. The molar ratio "n _Li / (n _P + n _E1 + n _E2 )" may be, for example, zero. That is, the solute may not contain Li. n _Li may be less than the detection limit in ICP measurement. It is expected that the smaller the molar ratio "n _Li / (n _P + n _E1 + n _E2 )", the lower the composition ratio of Li on the particle surface.

(b) Production of Composite Particles
The present manufacturing method includes drying the mixture to manufacture the composite particles. The coating solution attached to the surface of the positive electrode active material particles is dried to produce a coating film, and the composite particles are manufactured. In the present manufacturing method, any drying method can be used.

When the mixture is a suspension containing positive electrode active material particles and a coating liquid, the composite particles may be formed, for example, by a spray drying method. That is, the suspension containing positive electrode active material particles and a coating liquid is sprayed from a nozzle, and the sprayed droplets are dried, for example, by hot air, to form the composite particles. By using the spray drying method, for example, an improvement in the coverage rate is expected.

The solid content of the suspension for spray drying may be, for example, 1 to 50% or 10 to 30% by volume. The nozzle diameter may be, for example, 0.1 to 10 mm or 0.1 to 1 mm. The hot air temperature may be, for example, 100 to 200°C.

For example, the composite particles may be produced by a tumbling fluidized bed coating apparatus. In the tumbling fluidized bed coating apparatus, "(a) preparation of the mixture" (adhesion of the coating liquid to the surface of the positive electrode active material particles) and "(b) production of the composite particles" can be carried out simultaneously.

(c) Heat Treatment
The present manufacturing method may include subjecting the composite particles to a heat treatment. The coating film may be fixed by the heat treatment. The heat treatment may also be referred to as "calcination." In the present manufacturing method, any heat treatment device may be used. The heat treatment temperature may be, for example, 150 to 300°C. The heat treatment time may be, for example, 1 to 10 hours. For example, the heat treatment may be performed in air or in an inert atmosphere.

<Comparative Example 1>
[Preparation of Composite Particles]
870.4 parts by mass of hydrogen peroxide solution (mass concentration 30%) was added to the container. Next, 987.4 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water and 44.2 parts by mass of phosphoric acid [P ₂ O ₅ ·3H ₂ O] were added to the container. Next, 87.9 parts by mass of ammonia water (mass concentration 28%) was added to the container. The contents of the container were thoroughly stirred to prepare a solution. The solution is considered to contain a peroxo complex of P. Furthermore, 0.1 parts by mass of lithium hydroxide · monohydrate (LiOH · H ₂ O) was dissolved in the solution to prepare a coating solution.

Li(Ni1 _/ 3Co1 _/ 3Mn1 _/3 ) _O2 was prepared as the positive electrode active material particles. 50 parts by mass of the positive electrode active material particles were dispersed in 53.7 parts by mass of the coating liquid to prepare a suspension. The suspension was spray-dried to prepare a composite particle powder.

The obtained composite particles were heat-treated in an air atmosphere. The heat treatment temperature was 200° C. The heat treatment time was 5 hours. As a result, the composite particles (coated positive electrode active material) of Example 1 having a coating film with a thickness of 20 nm were obtained. Note that, in the composite particles of Example 1, the coating film is considered to contain Li ₃ PO ₄ (LPO).

[Fabrication of all-solid-state batteries]
(Preparation of Positive Electrode)
The following materials were prepared:
Sulfide solid electrolyte: Li ₂ S-P ₂ S ₅ -based glass ceramics containing LiI (D50: 0.8 μm)
Conductive material: VGCF (vapor grown carbon fiber)
Binder: SBR (butadiene rubber)
Dispersion medium: heptane Positive electrode current collector: Al foil

The composite particles, the sulfide solid electrolyte, the conductive material, the binder, and the dispersion medium were mixed to prepare a positive electrode slurry. The mixing ratio of the composite particles and the sulfide solid electrolyte was "composite particles/sulfide solid electrolyte = 7/3 (volume ratio)". The amount of the conductive material was 3 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the composite particles. The amount of the binder was 0.7 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the composite particles. The positive electrode slurry was sufficiently stirred by an ultrasonic homogenizer (manufactured by SMT: UH-50). The positive electrode slurry was applied to the surface of the positive electrode current collector to form a coating film. The coating film was dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes by a hot plate. This produced a positive electrode raw sheet. A disk-shaped positive electrode was cut out from the positive electrode raw sheet. The area of the positive electrode was 1 cm ² .

(Preparation of negative electrode)
A sulfide solid electrolyte (Li ₂ S-P ₂ S ₅ -based glass ceramics containing LiI, D50: 0.8 μm), 1 mass % of a conductive additive (VGCF), 2 mass % of a binder (SBR), and heptane were added to a kneading vessel of a Filmix device (30-L type manufactured by Primix) and stirred at 20,000 rpm for 30 minutes.
Next, the negative electrode active material (Li ₄ Ti ₅ O ₁₂ particles, D50:1 μm) and the solid electrolyte were put into a kneading container so that the volume ratio was 6:4, and the mixture was stirred at 15,000 rpm for 60 minutes using a Filmix device to prepare a negative electrode mixture. The prepared negative electrode mixture was applied to a copper foil and dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes. This produced a negative electrode raw material. A disk-shaped negative electrode was cut out from the negative electrode raw material. The area of the negative electrode was 1 cm ² .

(Preparation of Separator Layer)
64.8 mg of a sulfide solid electrolyte ( _Li2S - _P2S5 -based glass ceramics containing LiI, D50: 2.5 μm) was placed in a cylindrical ceramic having an inner cross-sectional area of ₁ ^cm2 , smoothed, and then pressed at 1 ton/ ^cm2 to prepare a separator layer (solid electrolyte layer).

(Battery Construction)
The fabricated positive electrode was placed on one side of the solid electrolyte layer, and the fabricated negative electrode was placed on the other side of the solid electrolyte layer, and pressed at 6 ton/cm ₂ for 1 minute. Next, with terminals (stainless steel rods) inserted into the positive electrode and negative electrode, they were restrained at 1 ton to fabricate an all-solid-state battery (all-solid-state lithium-ion battery).

Example 1
In Example 1, 10.8 parts by mass of orthophosphoric acid (85%, Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dissolved in 166 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water to prepare a solution. Furthermore, lithium hydroxide monohydrate was dissolved in the solution so that the molar ratio "n _Li / (n _P + n _E1 + n _E2 )" was 0.45 to prepare a coating solution. The composite particles and battery of Example 1 were produced in the same manner as Comparative Example 1 except for the above. In addition, in the composite particles of Example 1, the coating film is considered to include Li _x PO _y (x and y are arbitrary numbers), such as Li _0.5 PO ₃ .

Example 2
In Example 2, a coating solution was prepared by dissolving 6.7 parts by mass of boric acid (manufactured by Nacalai Tesque, Inc.) in 166 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water. Except for this, the composite particles and battery of Example 2 were produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1. In the composite particles of Example 2, the coating film is considered to contain, for example, BO _x (x is any number) such as BO.

Example 3
In Example 3, a solution was prepared by dissolving 10.8 parts by mass of metaphosphoric acid (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in 166 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water. Furthermore, a coating solution was prepared by dissolving boric acid (manufactured by Nacalai Tesque, Inc.) in the solution so that the molar ratio "(n _E1 + _n E2 )/n _P " was 1.0. In other respects, the composite particles and the battery of Example 3 were produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1. In addition, in the composite particles of Example 3, the coating film is considered to include, for example, B _x PO _y (x and y are any numbers), such as BPO _X.

Example 4
In Example 4, the temperature of the heat treatment of the composite particles was changed to 400° C. Except for this, the composite particles and the battery of Example 4 were produced in the same manner as in Example 3. Note that in the composite particles of Example 4, the coating film is considered to contain, for example, B _x PO _y (x and y are arbitrary numbers), such as BPO _X.

<Evaluation>
[Measurement of Raman Spectrum of Composite Particles (Coating Film)]
For each of the composite particles of the above examples and comparative examples, the Raman spectroscopy spectrum was measured for the cross section of the coating film. FIG. 1 shows the Raman spectroscopy spectrum of each of the composite particles (coating film) of the examples and comparative examples. Table 1 also shows the Raman shift value at the peak top of each peak of the Raman spectroscopy spectrum. The measurement conditions of the Raman spectroscopy spectrum are as follows.

(Raman spectroscopy measurement conditions)
Raman spectrometer: "DXR3xi Raman Imaging Microscope" (Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.)
Laser energy: 1.5mW
Exposure time: 50-100Hz
Number of scans: 100

[Battery reaction resistance]
For each of the batteries (all-solid-state batteries) of the above-mentioned Examples and Comparative Examples, the output characteristics (reaction resistance) were evaluated by the following method.

(Checking the initial capacity)
For each battery, constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging and constant current (CC) discharging were repeated for three cycles at a 1/3C rate. The discharge capacity at the third cycle was confirmed as the initial capacity. Note that "C" is the unit of current rate. "1C" indicates the current rate at which the SOC (State of Charge) reaches 100% from 0% by charging for one hour.

(Measurement of reaction resistance)
The battery with the above initial capacity confirmed was charged at a 1/3 C rate to a state of SOC (charge rate) of 50%. Then, the AC impedance of the battery was measured under conditions of 10 mV and 0.1 to 10 ⁶ Hz. An arc was fitted to a Cole-Cole plot created based on the AC impedance measurement results, and the distance between the two intersection points of the fitted arc and the real axis was measured as the reaction resistance (discharge resistance).

Table 1 shows the measurement results of the discharge resistance (ratio when the discharge resistance of Comparative Example 1 is set to 1.00). Note that the smaller the discharge resistance, the higher the battery output characteristics (discharge rate).

From the results shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the batteries (composite particles) of Examples 1 to 4, in which the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film has a peak with a peak top in the range of ⁶⁰⁰ to 200 cm −1 , have significantly lower reaction resistance than the battery (composite particles) of Comparative Example 1, in which the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film does not have such a peak. Note that in Examples 3 and 4, there are three peaks with peak tops in the range of 600 to 200 cm ⁻¹ .

In Examples 1, 3, and 4, the Raman spectrum of the cross section of the coating film further has at least one peak having a peak top within the range of 1250 to 1050 cm ⁻¹ and 800 to 630 cm ⁻¹ . In this case, the coating film is expected to have low resistance and excellent durability under high voltage.

The present embodiment and the present examples are illustrative in all respects. The present embodiment and the present examples are not limiting. The technical scope of the present disclosure includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the description of the claims. For example, it is contemplated from the beginning that any configuration may be extracted from the present embodiment and the present examples and that they may be combined in any desired manner.

1 Positive electrode active material particles, 2 Coating film, 5 Composite particles, 10 Positive electrode, 20 Negative electrode, 30 Separator layer, 50 Power generating element, 100 All-solid-state battery.

Claims (6)

A positive electrode active material particle and a coating film that covers at least a part of a surface of the positive electrode active material particle,
The coating film contains a phosphorus compound,
The phosphorus compound contains phosphorus and at least one of a first element which is a glass network forming element and a second element which is a transition element,
the first element is at least one selected from the group consisting of boron, silicon, and germanium;
In the Raman spectroscopy spectrum of a cross section of the coating film, a peak having a peak top in the range of 600 to 200 ^cm
The composite particle, in the coating film, satisfies the relationship of the following formula (1):
C _Li /(C _P +C _E1 +C _E2 )≦2.5…(1)
(In the above formula (1),
C _Li , C _P , C _E1 , and C _E2 are element concentrations measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;
C _Li represents the elemental concentration of lithium,
C _P represents the elemental concentration of phosphorus,
C _E1 represents the element concentration of the first element,
C _E2 indicates the element concentration of the second element. The composite particle according to claim 1, wherein the second element is at least one selected from the group consisting of second transition elements and third transition elements. 2. The composite particle according to claim 1, wherein the Raman spectrum of a cross section of the coating film further includes peaks having peak tops within the ranges of 1250 to 1050 cm ⁻¹ and 800 to 630 cm ⁻¹ . A positive electrode comprising the composite particles according to claim 1 and a sulfide solid electrolyte. An all-solid-state battery comprising the positive electrode according to claim 4. A method for producing the composite particle according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a mixture by mixing a coating liquid with positive electrode active material particles; and (b) producing composite particles by drying the mixture.
Including,
The coating liquid includes a solute and a solvent,
The solute includes at least one of the first element and the second element, and phosphorus.
A method for producing composite particles.

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