JPWO2016158939A1 - Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer composition, method for producing the same, and use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer containing an active material, water, and a binder, wherein the binder is a cross-linking weight of a monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. A viscosity of 5,000 to 40,000 mPa · s of a 0.5% by weight aqueous dispersion of the crosslinked polymer having a degree of neutralization of 90 mol%, and the crosslinked polymer and salt thereof The composition for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layers whose content is 0.5-5.0 weight% with respect to the said active material.

Description

  The present invention uses a composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer that can be used for a lithium ion secondary battery and the like, a production method thereof, and the composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer. The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery to be obtained.

  As the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery is well known. Lithium ion secondary batteries are superior in energy density, output density, charge / discharge cycle characteristics, etc. compared to other secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries, so mobiles such as smartphones, tablet terminals and laptop computers Used in terminals, it contributes to reducing the size and weight of terminals and improving their performance. On the other hand, secondary batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles (on-vehicle secondary batteries) have not yet achieved sufficient performance in terms of output, required charging time, and the like. For this reason, studies are being made to improve the charge / discharge characteristics (high rate characteristics) at high current densities with the aim of increasing the output of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries and shortening the charging time. Moreover, since high durability is similarly required for in-vehicle applications, compatibility with cycle characteristics is required.

The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is composed of a pair of electrodes disposed via a separator and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The electrode is composed of a current collector and a mixture layer formed on the surface thereof, and the mixture layer is coated with a composition (slurry) for the electrode mixture layer containing an active material and a binder on the current collector. And formed by drying or the like.
On the other hand, in recent years, with respect to the composition for an electrode mixture layer, there is an increasing demand for water-based treatment from the viewpoints of environmental protection and cost reduction. In this regard, in the lithium ion secondary battery, an aqueous system using styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a binder for the electrode mixture layer composition for the negative electrode using a carbon-based material such as graphite as an active material. A binder is used. However, further improvement is desired in order to cope with high-rate characteristics and cycle characteristics required for in-vehicle applications. In addition, regarding positive electrodes of lithium ion secondary batteries, solvent-based binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) using organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) are mainstream and sufficiently satisfy the above requirements. No water-based binder has been proposed.

Components constituting the lithium ion secondary battery electrode include active materials such as graphite and hard carbon (HC), and carbon-based materials such as conductive additives such as ketjen black (KC) and acetylene black (AB). Often used. In general, these carbon-based materials have poor wettability to an aqueous medium, and in order to obtain a composition for an electrode mixture layer that is uniform and excellent in dispersion stability, an aqueous system excellent in the dispersion stabilization effect of the carbon-based material is used. A binder is desired. As an aqueous binder that can be applied to a lithium ion secondary battery electrode, an aqueous binder containing a crosslinked polyacrylic acid has been proposed as shown below.
Patent Document 1 discloses an acrylic acid polymer crosslinked with polyalkenyl ether as a binder for forming a negative electrode coating film of a lithium ion secondary battery. Further, in Patent Document 2, a polymer obtained by crosslinking polyacrylic acid with a specific crosslinking agent is used as a binder, so that the electrode structure is not destroyed even when an active material containing silicon is used. It is described that an excellent capacity retention ratio can be obtained.

JP 2000-294247 A International Publication No. 2014/065407

In the example of Patent Document 1, a binder composition containing an acrylic acid polymer crosslinked with a polyalkenyl polyether is disclosed. However, the binder composition containing the acrylic acid polymer has a high viscosity, and it is difficult to ensure uniformity when kneading and preparing the mixture layer composition by mixing with an active material or the like. There was a risk of effect. Further, in the detailed explanation of the invention of Patent Document 1, when the blending composition ratio of the acrylic acid polymer in the binder exceeds 95% by weight, the particle surface of the carbon material is coated and the conductivity is lowered. And has a problem of inhibiting the movement of lithium ions.
In Examples of Patent Document 2, a binder composed of cross-linked polyacrylic acid having different types of cross-linking agents and different amounts of cross-linking agents is disclosed, and 1 wt% slurry of the cross-linked polyacrylic acid at 0.6 rpm or 60 rpm is disclosed. Viscosity is described ([Table 3] etc.). However, the binder composition containing cross-linked polyacrylic acid having a specific viscosity value of 60 rpm has a low viscosity, and there is concern about dispersion stability and binding properties of active materials and the like. . On the other hand, the binder composition containing a cross-linked polyacrylic acid specifically having a viscosity value of 0.6 rpm has a high viscosity, and the uniformity in kneading and preparing the mixture layer composition is reduced. The electrode characteristics may be adversely affected.
Moreover, neither patent document 1 nor 2 describes anything about the high rate characteristics.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including an aqueous binder that can satisfy both electrode characteristics such as high rate characteristics and durability (cycle characteristics). It aims at providing the composition for electrode mixture layers, and its manufacturing method. Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery obtained by using the composition for an aqueous electrode mixture layer.

Generally, in order to realize a high-rate characteristic, it is desirable that the amount of the binder serving as a resistance component is as small as possible. Therefore, it is possible to stably disperse the active material and the conductive additive even in a small amount, and the binding force between the active materials and between the active material and the current collector is large (as a result, the mixture layer and the current collector Therefore, a binder that is excellent in durability of the obtained electrode is desired.
Furthermore, the binder is required to be such that it does not hinder the entry or escape of lithium ions even if it is present on the active material surface. That is, a binder that reduces resistance (= interface resistance) associated with lithium ion penetration into the active material or escape from the active material due to excellent lithium ion desolvation effect and lithium ion conductivity is preferable. .

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found a crosslinked polymer of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof in which a 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion has a specific viscosity range. In the case of the binder to be included, the present inventors have obtained knowledge that the high rate characteristics can be improved since excellent binding properties are exhibited even in a small amount. Moreover, since the said binder was excellent in binding property, it discovered that it was effective also with respect to the durability (cycle characteristic) improvement of an electrode. Furthermore, since the composition for a mixture layer containing the binder has a viscosity suitable for electrode preparation, it is possible to obtain a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode having a uniform mixture layer and good electrode characteristics. It was. The present invention has been completed based on these findings.

The present invention is as follows.
[1] A composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer comprising an active material, water and a binder,
The binder contains a cross-linked polymer of a monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof,
The viscosity of the 0.5% by weight aqueous dispersion of the crosslinked polymer at a neutralization degree of 90 mol% is 5,000 to 40,000 mPa · s,
The composition for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layers whose content of the said crosslinked polymer and its salt is 0.5 to 5.0 weight% with respect to the said active material.
[2] The cross-linked polymer is cross-linked with a cross-linkable monomer, and the use amount of the cross-linkable monomer is from 0.05 to the total amount of monomers other than the cross-linkable monomer. The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to [1], which is 1.0 mol%.
[3] The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to [1] or [2], wherein the crosslinkable monomer has both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group. .
[4] The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer is 20 to 100 mol%.
[5] A method for producing a composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer,
A monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a crosslinkable monomer is precipitated and polymerized in an aqueous medium, and the viscosity of a 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion at a neutralization degree of 90 mol% is 5, After obtaining a crosslinked polymer of 000 to 40,000 mPa · s,
A method for producing a composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer by mixing with an active material and water.
[6] Non-aqueous electrolyte 2 provided with a mixture layer formed on the surface of the current collector from the composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to any one of [1] to [4]. Secondary battery electrode.
[1] A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode according to [6], a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution.

  The binder used for the composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer of the present invention exhibits excellent binding properties even in a small amount. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the binder content in the composition for the mixture layer, and it is possible to obtain an electrode having high high-rate characteristics and excellent durability (cycle characteristics). Moreover, since the composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer of the present invention has a viscosity suitable for electrode production, the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode has a uniform mixture layer and good electrode characteristics. Can be obtained.

  The present invention will be described in detail below. In the present specification, “(meth) acryl” means acryl and / or methacryl, and “(meth) acrylate” means acrylate and / or methacrylate. The “(meth) acryloyl group” means an acryloyl group and / or a methacryloyl group.

The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to the present invention comprises a crosslinked polymer of a monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, a binder containing the salt, an active material, and water. It contains. The composition described above may be in a slurry state that can be applied to the current collector, or may be prepared in a wet powder state so that it can be applied to pressing on the surface of the current collector. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode of the present invention is obtained by forming a mixture layer formed from the above composition on the surface of a current collector such as a copper foil or an aluminum foil. The composition for the secondary battery electrode mixture layer and the production method thereof, and the components of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery obtained by using the composition will be described in detail. .

<Binder>
The binder of the present invention contains a cross-linked polymer of a monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof. Specific examples of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer include (meth) acrylic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, monobutyl itaconic acid, monobutyl maleate, and cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. Examples thereof include vinyl monomers having a carboxyl group such as acid, or (partial) alkali neutralized products thereof. One of these may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination. May be. Among the above, carbon such as (meth) acrylic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and fumaric acid is preferable in that the primary chain length of the obtained polymer is long and the binding power of the binder is good. Several to five ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers and salts thereof are preferred, and acrylic acid is more preferred.
The types of salts include alkali metal salts such as lithium, sodium and potassium; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and barium salts; other metal salts such as magnesium salts and aluminum salts; ammonium salts and organic amine salts Is mentioned. Of these, alkali metal salts and magnesium salts are preferred, and alkali metal salts are more preferred because they are less likely to adversely affect battery characteristics.

  Moreover, as long as the effect of this invention is not impaired, it is also possible to use together other non-crosslinkable monomers other than the said ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer as a monomer component. Other non-crosslinkable monomers include (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters, (meth) acrylic acid hydroxyalkyl esters, aromatic vinyl compounds, amino group-containing vinyl compounds, amide group-containing vinyl compounds, sulfonic acid group-containing vinyls. Examples thereof include a compound, a polyoxyalkylene group-containing vinyl compound, and an alkoxyl group-containing vinyl compound. These compounds can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Specific compounds of the above (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester include methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, n-propyl (meth) acrylate, isopropyl (meth) acrylate, and (meth) acrylic. N-butyl acid, isobutyl (meth) acrylate, sec-butyl (meth) acrylate, tert-butyl (meth) acrylate, n-pentyl (meth) acrylate, isoamyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic (Meth) acrylic acid ester compounds having a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group such as hexyl acid, cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate and octyl (meth) acrylate may be mentioned.

  Specific examples of the (meth) acrylic acid hydroxyalkyl ester include 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth) acrylate, and (meth). Examples include ε-caprolactone adduct of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate.

  Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound include styrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, α-methylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, 2,4-diisopropylstyrene, and 4-tert-butylstyrene. Tert-butoxystyrene, vinyltoluene, vinylnaphthalene, halogenated styrene, styrenesulfonic acid, α-methylstyrenesulfonic acid, and the like.

  Examples of the amino group-containing vinyl compound include dimethylaminomethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminomethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) 2- (di-n-propylamino) ethyl acrylate, 2-dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-diethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (di-n-propylamino) (meth) acrylate Propyl, 3-dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate, 3-diethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate, 3- (di-n-propylamino) propyl (meth) acrylate, and the like.

  Examples of the amide group-containing vinyl compound include (meth) acrylamide, N, N-dimethyl (meth) acrylamide, N, N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide, Nt-butylacrylamide and the like. It is done.

  Examples of the sulfonic acid group-containing vinyl compound include methallylsulfonic acid, (meth) acrylamide-2-methyl-2-propanesulfonic acid, and the like.

  Examples of the polyoxyalkylene group-containing vinyl compound include (meth) acrylic acid esters of alcohols having a polyoxyethylene group and / or a polyoxypropylene group.

  Examples of the alkoxyl group-containing vinyl compound include 2-methoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (n-propoxy) ethyl (meth) acrylate, and 2- (meth) acrylic acid 2- (N-butoxy) ethyl, 3-methoxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 3-ethoxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (n-propoxy) propyl (meth) acrylate, 2- (n) (meth) acrylate -Butoxy) propyl and the like.

  The ratio of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer in the total amount of the non-crosslinkable monomer is preferably 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably 70 to 100% by weight, and 90 to 100% by weight. The range is more preferable, and the range of 95 to 100% by weight is more preferable. When the polymer has a carboxyl group, it has an excellent desolvation effect and ion conductivity of lithium ions, so that an electrode having low resistance and excellent high rate characteristics can be obtained. When the proportion of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer in the total amount of the non-crosslinkable monomer is 50% by weight or more, the effect of the carboxyl group can be sufficiently imparted.

As the monomer component, in addition to the non-crosslinkable monomer, a crosslinkable monomer may be used. Examples of the crosslinkable monomer include a polyfunctional polymerizable monomer having two or more polymerizable unsaturated groups, and a monomer having a self-crosslinkable functional group such as a hydrolyzable silyl group. Can be mentioned.
The polyfunctional polymerizable monomer is a compound having two or more polymerizable functional groups such as (meth) acryloyl group and alkenyl group in the molecule, and is a polyfunctional (meth) acrylate compound, polyfunctional alkenyl compound, ( Examples include compounds having both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, a compound having one or more alkenyl groups in the molecule such as a polyfunctional alkenyl compound and a compound having both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group is preferable in that a uniform crosslinked structure can be easily obtained. In addition, a compound having both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group is more preferable because the reactivity is good and an unreacted product hardly remains. Furthermore, when a compound having a plurality of allyl ether groups in the molecule as a crosslinkable monomer and a compound having both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group are used in combination, the coating properties of the mixture layer composition and This is particularly preferable since the binding property and the bending resistance of the obtained electrode are more excellent.

  Polyfunctional (meth) acrylate compounds include ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, propylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, polyethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, polypropylene glycol di ( Di (meth) acrylates of dihydric alcohols such as (meth) acrylate; trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane ethylene oxide modified tri (meth) acrylate, glycerin tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri ( Poly (meth) acrylates such as tri (meth) acrylates and tetra (meth) acrylates of trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohols such as (meth) acrylates and pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylates Mention may be made of the rate.

  Examples of the polyfunctional alkenyl compound include trimethylolpropane diallyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, tetraallyloxyethane, polyallyl saccharose and the like; polyfunctional allyl compounds such as diallyl phthalate; divinyl Examples thereof include polyfunctional vinyl compounds such as benzene.

Examples of the compound having both (meth) acryloyl group and alkenyl group include allyl (meth) acrylate, isopropenyl (meth) acrylate, butenyl (meth) acrylate, pentenyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid. 2- (2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl and the like can be mentioned.
Examples of other polyfunctional polymerizable monomers include bisamides such as methylene bisacrylamide and hydroxyethylene bisacrylamide.

  Specific examples of the monomer having a crosslinkable functional group capable of self-crosslinking include hydrolyzable silyl group-containing vinyl monomers, N-methylol (meth) acrylamide, N-methoxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, and the like. Is mentioned. These compounds can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The hydrolyzable silyl group-containing vinyl monomer is not particularly limited as long as it is a vinyl monomer having at least one hydrolyzable silyl group. For example, vinyl silanes such as vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane, and vinyldimethylmethoxysilane; silyl such as trimethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, triethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, and methyldimethoxysilylpropyl acrylate Group-containing acrylic acid esters; silyl group-containing methacrylates such as trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, triethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, methyldimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, dimethylmethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate; trimethoxysilylpropyl vinyl ether, etc. Silyl group-containing vinyl ethers; and silyl group-containing vinyl esters such as vinyl trimethoxysilylundecanoate.

The degree of crosslinking of the crosslinked polymer of the present invention is relatively low. When the cross-linked polymer is cross-linked with a cross-linkable monomer, the amount of the cross-linkable monomer used is the total amount of monomers other than the cross-linkable monomer (non-cross-linkable monomer). It is preferable that it is 0.05-1.0 mol% with respect to it, and it is more preferable that it is 0.1-0.8 mol%. If the usage-amount of a crosslinkable monomer is the said range, the binder which has the more outstanding binding force can be obtained.
Here, when a crosslinkable monomer having both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group is used as the crosslinkable monomer, the amount of the crosslinkable monomer used is 0.05 to 0.5 mol%. It is preferable that it is 0.2-0.5 mol%. Moreover, when a polyfunctional allyl compound is used as the crosslinkable monomer, the amount of the crosslinkable monomer used is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mol%, preferably 0.3 to 0.8 mol. % Is more preferable.

The crosslinked polymer of the present invention may be crosslinked with a compound having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with a carboxyl group introduced into the polymer in addition to the above-mentioned crosslinkable monomer.
Examples of the compound having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with a carboxyl group include the following compounds.
i) A compound that forms a covalent bond with a carboxyl group such as an epoxy group, a carbodiimide group, or an oxazoline group.
ii) A compound having Ca ²⁺ , Mg ^{2+ and the} like and forming an ionic bond with a carboxyl group.
iii) A compound having Zn ²⁺ , Al ³⁺ , Fe ^{3+ and the} like and forming a coordinate bond with a carboxyl group.

When the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer is adjusted to 90 mol% and used as a 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion, the viscosity is in the range of 5,000 to 40,000 mPa · s. Here, the viscosity is measured by the B-type viscosity at the liquid temperature 25 (rotor rotation speed 20 rpm). The viscosity of the 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion is preferably in the range of 10,000 to 40,000 mPa · s, more preferably in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 mPa · s, and even more preferably 30. , 40,000 mPa · s. When the viscosity is less than 5,000 mPa · s, the dispersion stability of the active material may not be sufficient, and an electrode having a uniform mixture layer may not be obtained. In addition, sufficient binding properties may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the viscosity exceeds 40,000 mPa · s, kneading at the time of preparing the composition for electrode mixture layer may be difficult, and the uniformity of the composition for mixture layer obtained may be reduced. Battery characteristics may be adversely affected.
When the cross-linked polymer is not neutralized or has a neutralization degree of less than 90 mol%, it is neutralized in an aqueous medium with an alkali compound to a neutralization degree of 90 mol%, and after making a 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion, the viscosity is taking measurement. When the degree of neutralization of the cross-linked polymer exceeds 90 mol%, 0.5 wt% after the neutralization degree is adjusted to 90 mol% with the addition of an appropriate acid such as sulfuric acid or the like. Measure the viscosity of the% aqueous dispersion.

In general, as the length of the polymer chain (primary chain length) of the crosslinked polymer increases, the toughness increases, it becomes possible to obtain high binding properties, and the viscosity of the aqueous dispersion increases. Further, a crosslinked polymer (salt) obtained by subjecting a polymer having a long primary chain length to a relatively small amount of crosslinking exists as a microgel body swollen in water in water. As the degree of crosslinking increases, the viscosity of the aqueous dispersion also increases. However, when excessive crosslinking is performed, the water swellability of the crosslinked polymer is limited, and as a result, the viscosity of the aqueous dispersion tends to decrease. In the composition for electrode mixture layers of the present invention, a thickening effect and a dispersion stabilizing effect are expressed by the interaction of the microgel bodies. The interaction of the microgel body varies depending on the water swelling degree of the microgel body and the strength of the microgel body, and these are controlled by the crosslinking degree of the crosslinked polymer. When the degree of crosslinking is too low, the strength of the microgel is insufficient, and the dispersion stabilizing effect and the binding property may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the degree of crosslinking is too high, the degree of swelling of the microgel may be insufficient and the dispersion stabilizing effect and binding properties may be insufficient. That is, the cross-linked polymer is desirably a micro-crosslinked polymer obtained by appropriately crosslinking a polymer having a sufficiently long primary chain length.
As described above, although the degree of crosslinking of the crosslinked polymer of the present invention is relatively low, even an aqueous dispersion having a low concentration of 0.5% by weight exhibits a viscosity of 5,000 mPa · s or more due to microgel packing. Therefore, it is assumed that the primary chain length is sufficiently long and has an appropriate degree of crosslinking. Since the binder made of such a crosslinked polymer exhibits excellent binding properties, the amount of the binder used can be reduced, and the high rate characteristics of the electrode can be improved.

  In the crosslinked polymer of the present invention, acid groups such as carboxyl groups derived from ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers are neutralized so that the degree of neutralization is 20 to 100 mol%, and the crosslinked polymer is used as a salt form. Is preferred. The neutralization degree is more preferably 50 to 100 mol%, and further preferably 60 to 95 mol%. When the degree of neutralization is 20 mol% or more, water swellability is good and a dispersion stabilizing effect is easily obtained.

The usage-amount of the crosslinked polymer and its salt in the composition for electrode mixture layers of this invention is 0.5 to 5.0 weight% with respect to the whole quantity of an active material. The amount used is preferably 1.0 to 5.0% by weight, more preferably 1.5 to 5.0% by weight, and still more preferably 2.0 to 5.0 parts by weight. When the amount of the crosslinked polymer and its salt used is less than 0.5% by weight, sufficient binding properties may not be obtained. Further, the dispersion stability of the active material or the like becomes insufficient, and the uniformity of the formed mixture layer may be lowered. On the other hand, when the usage-amount of a crosslinked polymer and its salt exceeds 5.0 weight%, the composition for electrode mixture layers may become high viscosity, and the coating property to a collector may fall. As a result, bumps and irregularities are generated in the obtained mixture layer, which may adversely affect the electrode characteristics. In addition, the interface resistance increases, and there is a concern that the high-rate characteristics will deteriorate.
If the use amount of the crosslinked polymer and its salt is within the above range, a composition having excellent dispersion stability can be obtained, and a mixture layer having extremely high adhesion to the current collector can be obtained. As a result, the durability of the battery is improved. Furthermore, since the amount used is as small as 0.5 to 5.0% by weight with respect to the active material, and the polymer has a carboxy anion, an electrode having low interface resistance and excellent high rate characteristics can be obtained. .

<Method for producing crosslinked polymer and salt thereof>
The crosslinked polymer of the present invention can use a known polymerization method such as solution polymerization, precipitation polymerization, suspension polymerization, reverse phase emulsion polymerization, etc., but has a long primary chain length and is appropriately crosslinked. Precipitation polymerization is preferred in that the polymer can be produced efficiently.
Precipitation polymerization is a method for producing a polymer by carrying out a polymerization reaction in a solvent that dissolves an unsaturated monomer as a raw material but does not substantially dissolve the produced polymer. As the polymerization progresses, the polymer particles become larger due to aggregation and growth, and a dispersion of polymer particles in which primary particles of several tens of nm to several hundreds of nm are aggregated to several μm to several tens of μm is obtained. A dispersion stabilizer can also be used to control the particle size of the polymer. Moreover, you may isolate | separate a polymer particle from a solvent by giving processing, such as filtration or centrifugation, to a reaction liquid after superposition | polymerization.

In the case of precipitation polymerization, the polymerization solvent may be a solvent selected from water and various organic solvents in consideration of the type of monomer used. In order to obtain a polymer having a longer primary chain length, it is preferable to use a solvent having a small chain transfer constant.
As a specific polymerization solvent, when an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer is polymerized in an unneutralized state, benzene, ethyl acetate, dichloroethane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, n-heptane, etc. may be mentioned. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
In the case of polymerizing a (partial) neutralized product of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, water-soluble solvents such as methanol, t-butyl alcohol, acetone, and tetrahydrofuran can be used. A combination of more than one species can be used. Or you may use as a mixed solvent of these and water. In the present invention, the water-soluble solvent refers to a solvent having a solubility in water at 20 ° C. of more than 10 g / 100 ml.
Among these, a (partial) neutralized product of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer is precipitated in an aqueous medium containing water and a water-soluble solvent because a polymer having excellent dispersion stability of the active material is obtained. A polymerization method is preferred. At this time, by adjusting the amount of water according to the type and amount of the monomer used, it is possible to control the precipitation and aggregation of the polymer, and to stably complete the polymerization by ensuring the dispersion stability of the precipitated particles. it can. The ratio of the water-soluble solvent contained in the aqueous medium is preferably 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably 70 to 100% by weight, and still more preferably 90 to 100% by weight with respect to the total amount of the aqueous medium.

  The polymerization initiator may be a known polymerization initiator such as an azo compound, an organic peroxide, or an inorganic peroxide, but is not particularly limited. The conditions of use can be adjusted by a known method such as thermal initiation, redox initiation using a reducing agent in combination, UV initiation, or the like so as to obtain an appropriate radical generation amount. In order to obtain a crosslinked polymer having a long primary chain length, it is preferable to set conditions so that the amount of radicals generated is reduced within a range in which production time is allowed.

  Examples of the azo compound include 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2,2′-azobis (N-butyl-2-methylpropionamide), and 2- (tert-butylazo) -2. -Cyanopropane, 2,2'-azobis (2,4,4-trimethylpentane), 2,2'-azobis (2-methylpropane) and the like, and one or more of these are used. be able to.

  Examples of the organic peroxide include 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane (manufactured by NOF Corporation, trade name “Pertetra A”), 1,1-di (t- Hexylperoxy) cyclohexane (same as “Perhexa HC”), 1,1-di (t-butylperoxy) cyclohexane (same as “PerhexaC”), n-butyl-4,4-di (t-butylperoxy) Valerate ("Perhexa V"), 2,2-di (t-butylperoxy) butane ("Perhexa 22"), t-butyl hydroperoxide ("Perbutyl H"), cumene hydroperoxide (Japan) Manufactured by Oil Co., Ltd., trade name “Park Mill H”), 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide (“Per Octa H”), t-butyl cumyl peroxide (“ -Butyl C "), di-t-butyl peroxide (same" perbutyl D "), di-t-hexyl peroxide (same" perhexyl D "), di (3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl) peroxide ( "Parroyl 355"), dilauroyl peroxide ("Parroyl L"), bis (4-t-butylcyclohexyl) peroxydicarbonate ("Parroyl TCP"), di-2-ethylhexyl peroxydicarbonate ( "Parroyl OPP"), di-sec-butyl peroxydicarbonate ("Parroyl SBP"), cumyl peroxyneodecanoate ("Parcumyl ND"), 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl Peroxyneodecanoate ("Perocta ND"), t-hexylperoxyneodecano (Perhexyl ND), t-butyl peroxyneodecanoate (perbutyl ND), t-butyl peroxyneoheptanoate (perbutyl NHP), t-hexyl peroxypi Valate (same “Perhexyl PV”), t-butyl peroxypivalate (same “Perbutyl PV”), 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di (2-ethylhexanoyl) hexane (“Perhexa 250”) 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate ("PeroctaO"), t-hexylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate ("PerhexylO"), t -Butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate (same "Perbutyl O"), t-butyl peroxylaurate (same "Perbutyl L"), t-Butyl Luperoxy-3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate (same as “Perbutyl 355”), t-hexyl peroxyisopropyl monocarbonate (same as “Perhexyl I”), t-butyl peroxyisopropyl monocarbonate (same as “Perbutyl I”) ), T-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexyl monocarbonate (same as “perbutyl E”), t-butyl peroxyacetate (same as “perbutyl A”), t-hexyl peroxybenzoate (same as “perhexyl Z”) and t -Butyl peroxybenzoate (the same "perbutyl Z") etc. are mentioned, The 1 type (s) or 2 or more types of these can be used.

Examples of the inorganic peroxide include potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate.
In the case of redox initiation, sodium sulfite, sodium thiosulfate, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, ascorbic acid, sulfurous acid gas (SO ₂ ), ferrous sulfate and the like can be used as a reducing agent.

  A preferable use amount of the polymerization initiator is 0.001 to 2 parts by weight, more preferably 0.005 to 1 part by weight, further preferably 100 parts by weight based on the total amount of monomer components to be used. Is 0.01 to 0.1 parts by weight. When the amount of the polymerization initiator used is 0.001 part or more, the polymerization reaction can be stably performed, and when it is 2 parts or less, a polymer having a long primary chain length is easily obtained.

About the density | concentration of the monomer component at the time of superposition | polymerization, the higher one is preferable from a viewpoint of obtaining a polymer with a longer primary chain length. However, if the concentration of the monomer component is too high, it is difficult to control the polymerization heat and the polymerization reaction may run away, so the monomer concentration at the start of the polymerization is usually in the range of about 2 to 30% by weight. Polymerization takes place at The monomer concentration at the start of the polymerization is preferably 5 to 30% by weight, more preferably 15 to 30% by weight, and still more preferably 20 to 30% by weight.
Although superposition | polymerization temperature is based also on conditions, such as a kind and density | concentration of a monomer to be used, 0-100 degreeC is preferable and 20-80 degreeC is more preferable. The polymerization temperature may be constant or may change during the polymerization reaction. The polymerization time is preferably 1 minute to 10 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 5 hours, and even more preferably 30 minutes to 2 hours.

  The binder of the present invention comprises a cross-linked polymer of a monomer component containing the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof, but in addition to this, a styrene / butadiene latex (SBR). ), Other binder components such as acrylic latex and polyvinylidene fluoride latex can be used in combination. When other binder components are used in combination, the amount used is preferably 5% by weight or less, more preferably 2% by weight or less, still more preferably 1% by weight or less based on the active material. . When the amount of other binder components used exceeds 5% by weight, the resistance increases and the high rate characteristics may be insufficient.

<Active material>
The mixture layer composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention contains a binder, an active material, and water composed of the crosslinked polymer and a salt thereof.
Among the active materials, a lithium salt of a transition metal oxide is mainly used as a positive electrode active material. For example, a layered rock salt type and a spinel type lithium-containing metal oxide can be used. Specific compounds of the positive electrode active material of layered rock-salt, lithium cobaltate, lithium nickelate, _{and, NCM {Li (Ni x,} Co y, Mn z), x + y + x = 1} called ternary and NCA {Li (Ni _1-ab Co _a Al _b )} and the like. Examples of the spinel positive electrode active material include lithium manganate. In addition to oxides, phosphates, silicates, sulfur and the like are used, and examples of the phosphate include olivine type lithium iron phosphate. As the positive electrode active material, one of the above may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination as a mixture or a composite.
When the layered rock salt type positive electrode active material is dispersed in water, the dispersion exhibits alkalinity by exchanging lithium ions on the surface of the active material and hydrogen ions in water. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the aluminum foil (Al) etc. which are general collector materials for positive electrodes may be corroded. In such a case, it is preferable to neutralize the alkali content eluted from the active material by using an unneutralized or partially neutralized crosslinked polymer as a binder. The amount of unneutralized or partially neutralized cross-linked polymer is used so that the amount of unneutralized carboxyl groups in the cross-linked polymer is equal to or greater than the amount of alkali eluted from the active material. It is preferable.

Since any positive electrode active material has low electrical conductivity, it is common to add a conductive auxiliary agent. Examples of the conductive assistant include carbon-based materials such as carbon black, carbon nanotube, carbon fiber, graphite fine powder, and carbon fiber. Among these, carbon black, carbon nanotube, and carbon fiber are easy to obtain excellent conductivity. Are preferred. Moreover, as carbon black, ketjen black and acetylene black are preferable. As the conductive assistant, one of the above may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination. The amount of the conductive aid used is preferably 2 to 20% by weight and more preferably 2 to 10% by weight with respect to the total amount of the active material from the viewpoint of achieving both conductivity and energy density.
The positive electrode active material may be a surface coated with a conductive carbon-based material.

On the other hand, examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon materials, lithium metals, lithium alloys, metal oxides, and the like, and one or more of them can be used in combination. Among these, active materials composed of carbon-based materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon, and soft carbon (hereinafter, also referred to as “carbon-based active material”) are preferable, graphite such as natural graphite and artificial graphite, and Hard carbon is more preferable. In the case of graphite, spheroidized graphite is suitably used from the viewpoint of battery performance, and the preferred particle size range is 1 to 20 μm, and the more preferred range is 5 to 15 μm.
In order to increase the energy density, it is also preferable to use a metal or metal oxide that can occlude lithium, such as silicon or tin, as the negative electrode active material. Among them, silicon has a higher capacity than graphite, and an active material composed of silicon-based materials such as silicon, silicon alloys and silicon oxides such as silicon monoxide (SiO) (hereinafter referred to as “silicon-based active material”). Can be used. However, the silicon-based active material has a high capacity, but has a large volume change due to charge / discharge. For this reason, it is preferable to use together with the carbon-based active material. In this case, if the compounding amount of the silicon-based active material is large, the electrode material may be collapsed and the cycle characteristics (durability) may be greatly reduced. From such a viewpoint, when the silicon-based active material is used in combination, the amount used is preferably 60% by mass or less, and more preferably 30% by mass or less with respect to the carbon-based active material.

  Since the carbon-based active material itself has good electrical conductivity, it is not always necessary to add a conductive additive. When a conductive additive is added for the purpose of further reducing resistance, the amount used is preferably 10% by weight or less, preferably 5% by weight or less based on the total amount of the active material from the viewpoint of energy density. Is more preferable.

When the composition for the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer is in a slurry state, the amount of the active material used is preferably in the range of 10 to 75% by weight, and preferably 30 to 65% by weight with respect to the total amount of the composition. More preferably, it is the range. When the amount of the active material used is 10% by weight or more, the migration of the binder and the like is suppressed, and the medium drying cost is advantageous. On the other hand, if it is 75 weight% or less, the fluidity | liquidity and coating property of a composition can be ensured, and a uniform mixture layer can be formed.
Moreover, when preparing the composition for electrode mixture layers in a wet powder state, it is preferable that the usage-amount of an active material is the range of 60 to 97 weight% with respect to the composition whole quantity, and is 70 to 90 weight%. A range is more preferable.
Further, from the viewpoint of energy density, it is preferable that the non-volatile components other than the active material such as the binder and the conductive assistant are as small as possible within a range in which necessary binding properties and conductivity are ensured.

<Water>
The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer of the present invention uses water as a medium. For the purpose of adjusting the properties and drying properties of the composition, lower alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, ketones such as acetone, water-soluble organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and N-methylpyrrolidone It is good also as a mixed solvent. The proportion of water in the mixed medium is preferably 50% by weight or more, and more preferably 70% by weight or more.
When the electrode mixture layer composition is in a slurry state that can be applied, the content of the medium containing water in the entire composition is determined from the viewpoints of slurry coating properties, energy costs required for drying, and productivity. The range of 25 to 90% by weight is preferable, and the range of 35 to 70% by weight is more preferable. Moreover, when it is set as the wet powder state which can be pressed, the range of 3-40 weight% is preferable from a viewpoint of the uniformity of the mixture layer after a press, and the range of 10-30 weight% is more preferable. .

<Composition for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer and method for producing the same>
The composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer of the present invention comprises the above active material, water and binder as essential components, and by mixing each component using known means. can get. The mixing method of each component is not particularly limited, and a known method can be adopted. However, after dry blending the powder components such as the active material, the conductive auxiliary agent and the crosslinked polymer particles as a binder, A method of mixing and dispersing and kneading with a dispersion medium such as the above is preferable.
When the composition for an electrode mixture layer is obtained in a slurry state, it is preferable to finish the slurry without any poor dispersion or aggregation. As a mixing means, known mixers such as a planetary mixer, a thin film swirl mixer, and a self-revolving mixer can be used, but a thin film swirl mixer is used because a good dispersion state can be obtained in a short time. It is preferable to carry out. Moreover, when using a thin film swirling mixer, it is preferable to perform preliminary dispersion with a stirrer such as a disper in advance.
Moreover, the viscosity of the slurry is preferably in the range of 500 to 100,000 mPa · s, more preferably in the range of 1,000 to 50,000 mPa · s, as the B-type viscosity at 60 rpm.

  On the other hand, when the composition for an electrode mixture layer is obtained in a wet powder state, it is preferably kneaded to a uniform state without density unevenness using a planetary mixer, a biaxial kneader or the like.

<Electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery>
The electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries of the present invention comprises a mixture layer formed from the above composition for an electrode mixture layer on the surface of a current collector such as copper or aluminum. The mixture layer is formed by coating the surface of the current collector with the composition for electrode mixture layer of the present invention, and then drying and removing a medium such as water. The method for applying the mixture layer composition is not particularly limited, and a known method such as a doctor blade method, a dip method, a roll coat method, a comma coat method, a curtain coat method, a gravure coat method, and an extrusion method is adopted. be able to. Moreover, the said drying can be performed by well-known methods, such as hot air spraying, pressure reduction, (far) infrared rays, and microwave irradiation.
Usually, the mixture layer obtained after drying is subjected to a compression treatment by a die press, a roll press or the like. By compressing the active material and the binder, the strength of the mixture layer and the adhesiveness to the current collector can be improved. It is preferable to adjust the thickness of the mixture layer to about 30 to 80% before compression by compression, and the thickness of the mixture layer after compression is generally about 4 to 200 μm.

<Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery>
The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention will be described. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention comprises the electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution.
The separator is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery, and plays a role of ensuring ionic conductivity by preventing a short circuit due to contact between both electrodes and holding an electrolytic solution. The separator is preferably a film-like insulating microporous film having good ion permeability and mechanical strength. As specific materials, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like can be used.

As the non-aqueous electrolyte solution, a known one generally used for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries can be used. Specific examples of the solvent include cyclic carbonates having a high dielectric constant such as propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate and high electrolyte dissolving ability, and low-viscosity chain carbonates such as ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, and diethyl carbonate. These can be used alone or as a mixed solvent. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution is used by dissolving lithium salts such as LiPF ₆ , LiSbF ₆ , LiBF ₄ , LiClO ₄ , LiAlO ₄ in these solvents.
The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention can be obtained by storing a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate partitioned by a separator in a spiral or laminated structure in a case or the like.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on examples. In addition, this invention is not limited by these Examples. In the following, “parts” and “%” mean parts by weight and% by weight unless otherwise specified.

(Production Example 1: Production of crosslinked polymer R-1)
For the polymerization, a reactor equipped with a stirring blade, a thermometer, a reflux condenser and a nitrogen introduction tube was used.
In the reactor, 295 parts of methanol, 100 parts of acrylic acid (hereinafter referred to as “AA”), and 0.42 part of allyl methacrylate (manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc., hereinafter referred to as “AMA”) were charged. Next, 18 parts of caustic soda flakes and 10 parts of ion-exchanged water were slowly added under stirring so that the internal temperature was maintained at 40 ° C or lower.
The reactor was sufficiently purged with nitrogen and then heated to raise the internal temperature to 68 ° C. After confirming that the internal temperature was stable at 68 ° C., 0.08 part of 4,4′-azobiscyanovaleric acid (trade name “ACVA” manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a polymerization initiator was added to the reaction solution. Since white turbidity was observed, this point was taken as the polymerization initiation point. The polymerization reaction is continued while adjusting the external temperature (water bath temperature) so that the solvent is gently refluxed, and 0.07 part of ACVA is added after 4 hours from the polymerization start point, and the solvent reflux is continued. Maintained. After 8 hours from the polymerization start point, cooling of the reaction liquid was started, and after the internal temperature dropped to 30 ° C, 32 parts of caustic soda flakes were slowly added so that the internal temperature did not exceed 50 ° C. After the addition of caustic soda flakes was completed and the internal temperature was cooled to 30 ° C. or lower, the polymerization reaction liquid (polymer slurry) was filtered by suction filtration. The polymer separated by filtration was washed with twice the amount of methanol as the polymerization reaction solution, and then the filter cake was recovered and vacuum dried at 100 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain a powdery crosslinked polymer R-1. The degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer R-1 is 90 mol%. Since crosslinked polymer R-1 has hygroscopicity, it was hermetically stored in a container having water vapor barrier properties.

  It mixed with water so that the density | concentration of the crosslinked polymer R-1 obtained above might be 0.5 weight%, and it stirred until it became a transparent uniform dispersion (swelling) state. After adjusting the obtained dispersion to 25 ± 1 ° C., the viscosity at a rotor rotational speed of 20 rpm was measured using a B-type viscometer TVB-10 (manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

(Production Examples 2 to 10: Production of crosslinked polymers R-2 to R-10)
Except having changed the preparation amount of each raw material as described in Table 1, operation similar to manufacture example 1 was performed, and powdery crosslinked polymer R-2 to R-10 was obtained.
Further, the viscosity of the 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion was measured for each crosslinked polymer by the same operation as in Production Example 1. However, since the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer R-8 was 32.4 mol%, an aqueous dispersion was prepared by adding caustic soda to a degree of neutralization of 90 mol%, and the viscosity was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production Example 11: Production of crosslinked polymer R-11)
For the polymerization, a reactor equipped with a stirring blade, a thermometer, a reflux condenser and a nitrogen introduction tube was used.
In the reactor, 300 parts of n-hexane, 140 parts of ethyl acetate, 100 parts of AA, and 0.70 part of pentaerythritol triallyl ether (manufactured by Daiso Corporation, trade name “Neoallyl P-30”) were charged.
The reactor was sufficiently purged with nitrogen and then heated to raise the internal temperature to 60 ° C. After confirming that the internal temperature was stable at 60 ° C., 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (trade name “V-65”, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) as a polymerization initiator 0. When 01 parts were added, white turbidity was observed in the reaction solution, and this point was taken as the polymerization initiation point. While maintaining the internal temperature at 60 ° C., the polymerization reaction was continued. When 3 hours, 6 hours, 9 hours, and 12 hours had elapsed from the start of polymerization, 0.01 parts of V-65 was added. When 20 hours had elapsed from the polymerization start point, cooling of the reaction liquid was started to complete the polymerization. After cooling to an internal temperature of 30 ° C. or lower, the polymerization reaction liquid (polymer slurry) was filtered by suction filtration. The polymer separated by filtration was washed with twice the amount of ethyl acetate as the polymerization reaction solution, and then the filter cake was collected and vacuum dried at 100 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain a powdery crosslinked polymer R-11. Since crosslinked polymer R-11 has hygroscopicity, it was hermetically stored in a container having water vapor barrier properties.
Further, since the degree of neutralization of the cross-linked polymer R-11 was 0 mol%, an aqueous dispersion was prepared by adding caustic soda to a degree of neutralization of 90 mol%, and the viscosity was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

Details of the compounds used in Table 1 are shown below.
AA: Acrylic acid AAM: Acrylamide AMA: Allyl methacrylate P-30: Pentaerythritol triallyl ether (product name “Neoallyl P-30” manufactured by Daiso Corporation)
T-20: Trimethylolpropane diallyl ether (Daiso Co., Ltd., trade name “Neoallyl T-20”)
ACVA: 4,4′-azobiscyanovaleric acid (manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd.)
V-65: 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

Preparation and Evaluation of Nonaqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery Electrode Example 1-1
About composition for mixture layers using graphite as a negative electrode active material and cross-linked polymer R-1 as a binder, its coating properties and peel strength between the formed mixture layer / current collector (that is, binder binding) Property).
100 parts of artificial graphite (made by Nippon Graphite Co., Ltd., trade name “CGB-10”) and 3 parts of powdered cross-linked polymer R-1 were mixed well in advance, and then 126 parts of ion-exchanged water was added and dispersed with a disper. After the preliminary dispersion, the slurry is mixed for 15 seconds under the condition of a peripheral speed of 20 m / second using a thin film swirling mixer (manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation, FM-56-30), thereby forming a slurry-like negative electrode mixture layer A composition was obtained.
Using a variable applicator, the mixture layer composition was coated on a 20 μm thick copper foil (manufactured by Nihon Foil Co., Ltd.) so that the film thickness after drying was 50 μm, and then immediately in the ventilation dryer. The mixture layer was formed by drying at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes. As a result of visually observing the appearance of the obtained mixture layer and evaluating the coatability based on the following criteria, it was judged as “◯”.
<Criteria for coating properties>
○: No abnormal appearance of streaks, irregularities, etc. on the surface.
Δ: Slight irregularities and irregularities such as irregularities are slightly observed on the surface.
X: Appearance abnormalities such as uneven stripes and irregularities are remarkably observed on the surface.

<90 ° peel strength (binding property)>
Furthermore, the mixture layer density was adjusted to 1.7 ± 0.05 g / cm ³ with a roll press machine to prepare an electrode, and then cut into a 25 mm width strip to prepare a peel test sample. The mixture layer surface of the above sample was attached to a double-sided tape fixed to a horizontal surface, 90 ° peeling was performed at a tensile speed of 50 mm / min, and the peel strength between the mixture layer and the copper foil was measured. The peel strength was as high as 4.5 N / m.
In general, when assembling a battery cell by cutting and processing an electrode, a peel strength of 1.0 N / m or more is necessary to avoid a problem that the mixture layer is peeled off from the current collector (copper foil). It is said. High peel strength means that the binder used has excellent binding properties between active materials and between active materials and electrodes, and the capacity drop during charge / discharge cycle tests is small and durable. It was suggested that an excellent battery can be obtained.

Examples 1-2 to 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-5
A composition for a mixture layer was prepared by performing the same operation as in Example 1-1 except that the crosslinked polymer used as a binder was used as shown in Tables 2 and 3, and coating properties and 90 ° peel strength were obtained. Evaluated. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
For Example 1-9 and Comparative Example 1-4, a 48% NaOH aqueous solution was added so that the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer was 90 mol%, and the crosslinked polymer was 3% as a 90 mol% neutralized product. The amount corresponding to parts was used.

Examples 1-1 to 1-12 are electrodes prepared using the composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer belonging to the present invention. The coating property of each composition (slurry) is good, and the peel strength between the obtained mixture layer and the current collector (copper foil) is 1.0N / m or more. Excellent binding properties were exhibited. Moreover, in Examples 1-1 to 1-7 in which 3 parts by weight of the crosslinked polymer neutralized by 90 mol% was used with respect to the active material, (meth) acryloyl group and alkenyl group were used as the crosslinkable monomer. The peel strength of Examples 1-1, 1-2 and 1-4 to 1-6 using a cross-linked polymer using allyl methacrylate having both of the above was not carried out using the cross-linkable monomer. High results were obtained compared to Examples 1-3 and 1-7.
On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2 using a crosslinked polymer having a low viscosity of 0.5% by weight, sufficient binding properties were not obtained. Moreover, the composition for mixture layers containing the above-mentioned highly crosslinked polymer R-11 showed poor coating properties even when the degree of neutralization was adjusted (Comparative Examples 1-3 and 1-4). Furthermore, Comparative Example 1-5 in which the blended amount of the crosslinked polymer with respect to the active material is small has almost no binding property of the mixture layer, and the mixture layer is formed when the electrode is cut to prepare a sample for a peel test. Since it peeled off, the peel strength could not be measured.

Example 2-1
A lithium ion secondary battery was prepared using a mixture layer composition containing hard carbon as a negative electrode material, acetylene black as a conductive additive, and a crosslinked polymer R-1 as a binder, and the battery characteristics were evaluated.
100 parts of hard carbon (manufactured by Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd., trade name “LBV-1001”), 2 parts of acetylene black (trade name “HS-100” produced by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.), and powdered crosslinked polymer R-1 After taking 3 parts and mixing well in advance, 132 parts of ion-exchanged water was added and preliminary dispersion was performed with a disper, and then a peripheral speed of 20 m / sec using a thin film swirling mixer (Primics, FM-56-30). By carrying out this dispersion for 15 seconds under the above conditions, a slurry-like mixture layer composition for negative electrode was obtained.
Using a direct coat type coating machine having a drying furnace, the above mixture layer composition was coated on both sides with a coating width of 120 mm on a 20 μm thick copper foil (manufactured by Nippon Foil Co., Ltd.) as a current collector. After drying, roll press treatment was performed to prepare a negative electrode having a mixture layer on both sides of the current collector. The adhesion amount of the mixture layer was 4.96 mg / cm ² (for one side), and the density was 1.0 g / cm ³ .
For the positive electrode, NCM (manufactured by Nippon Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) as an active material, HS-100 as a conductive additive, and polyvinylidene fluoride (trade name “KF # 1000”, manufactured by Kureha Co., Ltd.) as a binder are 85.5 / 4. What has the mixture layer formed from the mixture layer composition included in a ratio of 5/10 (weight ratio) on both surfaces of a 15 μm-thick aluminum foil (manufactured by Nippon Foil Co., Ltd.) serving as a current collector used. The adhesion amount of the positive electrode mixture layer was 6.80 mg / cm ² (for one side), and the density was 2.78 g / cm ³ .

Both the positive electrode and the negative electrode were vacuum-dried at 120 ° C. for 12 hours, and then the positive electrode was slit to a size of 96 × 84 mm and the negative electrode was 100 × 88 mm. The slit electrodes (7 positive electrodes, 8 negative electrodes) were laminated via a polyethylene separator to assemble a laminate cell. After the three-side sealed laminate cell was vacuum dried at 60 ° C. for 5 hours, an electrolyte solution (1M, LiPF6 in EC / EMC = 3/7 (v / v)) was injected to perform vacuum sealing. All the laminate cells were produced in a dry room.
The following battery characteristic evaluation was implemented about the laminate cell produced above.

<Initial charge / discharge test>
Using a charge / discharge device SD8 (Hokuto Denko), the initial charge / discharge capacity was measured under the following conditions.
In the measurement, in order to stabilize the battery state, after charging and discharging for one cycle, charging and discharging for the second cycle was performed, and it was confirmed that the charging and discharging capacity was stable within the designed capacity (700 to 800 mAh).
Measurement temperature: 25 ° C
Charging: 0.1C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V ⇒ CV / Termination rate 0.01C
Discharge: 0.1C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
Second cycle The charge capacity in the first cycle was 1142 mAh, the discharge capacity was 769 mAh, the charge capacity in the second cycle was 778 mAh, and the discharge capacity was 755 mAh.

<Low temperature rate test and AC impedance measurement>
About the cell which performed the initial stage charge / discharge test, the low temperature rate test and the alternating current impedance measurement were performed on the following conditions and order. For the measurement, a charge / discharge device SD8 (manufactured by Hokuto Denko) and an AC impedance measuring device VSP (manufactured by Bio-Logic) were used.
Measurement temperature: -15 ° C
(1) 0.1C charge / discharge (low temperature initial charge / discharge)
Charging: 0.1C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 0.1C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
(2) AC impedance measurement Charging: 0.1 C, 2 hours Applied voltage: 10 mV
Frequency: 1000kHz-10mHz
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
(3) 0.5C charge / discharge Charge: 0.5C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 0.5C-CC / Cut-off3.0V
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
(4) 1C charging / discharging Charging: 1C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 1C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
(5) 2C charge / discharge Charge: 2C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 2C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
(6) 3C charging / discharging Charging: 3C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 3C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
(7) 4C charging / discharging Charging: 4C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
(10 minutes downtime)
Discharge: 4C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
(Remaining discharge treatment: 0.1C up to 3V)
The measurement results of (1) were a low temperature initial charge / discharge capacity of 605 mAh and a discharge capacity of 598 mAh.
From the measurement result of (2) above, a Nyquist plot was created, and the interface resistance value was estimated from the size of the arc, resulting in 0.38Ω.
The result of calculating the discharge capacity maintenance rate at each C rate by dividing the discharge capacity obtained by the measurements of (3) to (7) above by the discharge capacity obtained by the measurement of (1) above. 0.5C: 67%, 1C: 44%, 2C: 15%, 3C: 3%, 4C: 0%. Note that 0% means that the cut-off voltage (3.0 V) has been reached immediately after the start of discharge due to a voltage drop due to overvoltage.

<Cycle test>
About the cell which performed the initial stage charge / discharge test, the cycle test was done on the following conditions.
Measurement temperature: 25 ° C
Charging: 1C-CC / Cut-off 4.2V
Discharge: 1C-CC / Cut-off 3.0V
200 cycles By dividing the discharge capacity at the 200th cycle by the discharge capacity at the first cycle, the 200 cycle discharge capacity retention rate was calculated to be 93%.

Examples 2-2 to 2-4 and comparative examples 2-1 to 2-4
A laminate cell was assembled by performing the same operation as in Example 2-1, except that the crosslinked polymer used as a binder was used as shown in Table 4, and battery characteristics were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 4.
For Comparative Example 2-3, a 48% NaOH aqueous solution was added so that the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer was 90 mol%, and the crosslinked polymer was an amount corresponding to 3 parts as a 90 mol% neutralized product. It was used. Moreover, about the comparative example 2-4, the following styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were used as a binder.
SBR: manufactured by JSR, trade name “TRD2001”, 1.5 parts used as solid content CMC: manufactured by Daicel Finechem, Inc., trade name “CMC2200”, used 1.5 parts as solid content

Details of the compounds used in Table 4 are shown below.
LBV-1001: Hard carbon (manufactured by Sumitomo Bakelite)
HS-100: Acetylene black (manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.)

Examples 2-1 to 2-4 belong to the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention, and the discharge capacity retention rate after the cycle test was as high as 93 to 95%, and the results excellent in cycle characteristics were obtained. . In addition, each example showed good high rate characteristics. This is because the internal resistance of the battery is small because the interface resistance value is small due to the characteristics of the used crosslinked polymer, the uniform dispersibility of the active material and the conductive assistant is good, and the electronic resistance is small. This is presumed to be due to Above all, when Example 2-1 and Example 2-3 in which the amount of the crosslinked polymer used is the same, Example 2- using the crosslinked polymer R-6 having a high viscosity of 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion. No. 3 had a higher discharge capacity retention rate under high current density conditions, and the result was excellent in high rate characteristics.
On the other hand, the cycle characteristics of Comparative Examples 2-2 and 2-3 using the crosslinked polymers R-9 and R-11 whose viscosity of the 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion is outside the range specified in the present invention are as follows. 82% and 88%. Moreover, it turns out that the comparative example 2-3 and the comparative example 2-4 which uses SBR and CMC as a binder are inferior to a high rate characteristic compared with an Example. In Comparative Example 2-3, the dispersion of the active material and the conductive additive is insufficient, which is considered to be due to an increase in electronic resistance. Moreover, in Comparative Example 2-4, since the binder does not have a sufficient carboxyl group, it is presumed that the interfacial resistance is increased, and as a result, the high rate characteristic is lowered. Similarly, Comparative Example 2-1 having a high content of the crosslinked polymer also had insufficient high rate characteristics.

  The electrode obtained from the composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to the present invention has an excellent binding force and an effect of reducing battery resistance. For this reason, the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery provided with the electrode exhibits excellent high rate characteristics and durability (cycle characteristics), and is expected to be applied to a vehicle-mounted secondary battery.

Claims (7)

A composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer comprising an active material, water and a binder,
The binder contains a cross-linked polymer of a monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a salt thereof,
The viscosity of the 0.5% by weight aqueous dispersion of the crosslinked polymer at a neutralization degree of 90 mol% is 5,000 to 40,000 mPa · s,
The composition for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layers whose content of the said crosslinked polymer and its salt is 0.5 to 5.0 weight% with respect to the said active material.   The crosslinked polymer is crosslinked with a crosslinking monomer, and the amount of the crosslinking monomer used is 0.05 to 1.0 with respect to the total amount of monomers other than the crosslinking monomer. The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to claim 1, wherein the composition is a mol%.   The composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crosslinkable monomer has both a (meth) acryloyl group and an alkenyl group.   The composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the degree of neutralization of the crosslinked polymer is 20 to 100 mol%. A method for producing a composition for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer, comprising:
A monomer component containing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and a crosslinkable monomer is precipitated and polymerized in an aqueous medium, and the viscosity of a 0.5 wt% aqueous dispersion at a neutralization degree of 90 mol% is 5, After obtaining a crosslinked polymer of 000 to 40,000 mPa · s,
A method for producing a composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layer by mixing with an active material and water.   The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode provided with the mixture layer formed from the composition for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode mixture layers in any one of Claims 1-4 in the collector surface.   A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery electrode according to claim 6, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution.