阅读说明：本技术 固体电池用电极和固体电池 (Electrode for solid-state battery and solid-state battery ) 是由 尾濑徳洋 铃木知哉 长谷川元 八十和夫 西村英晃 松下祐贵 于 2019-07-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及固体电池用电极和固体电池。一种固体电池用电极,其特征在于,所述电极具备电极活性材料层、集电器和PTC电阻体层,所述PTC电阻体层配置在所述电极活性材料层与集电器之间并且与电极活性材料层接触,所述PTC电阻体层含有含碳导电材料、绝缘性无机物和含氟聚合物,所述PTC电阻体层中的与电极活性材料层接触的面的硬度为0.36GPa以下,在将所述PTC电阻体层从靠近所述电极活性材料层的一侧起依次分为A层和B层,使得在所述PTC电阻体层的任何部分的厚度方向上均为A层的厚度：B层的厚度＝1：2时,将所述A层中包含的碳原子的原子百分比除以所述A层中包含的氟原子的原子百分比而得到的值为2.4～3.9。(The present invention relates to an electrode for a solid-state battery and a solid-state battery. An electrode for a solid-state battery, comprising an electrode active material layer, a current collector, and a PTC resistor layer that is disposed between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and that is in contact with the electrode active material layer, wherein the PTC resistor layer contains a carbon-containing conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluoropolymer, wherein the surface of the PTC resistor layer that is in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.36GPa or less, and wherein the PTC resistor layer is divided into an A layer and a B layer in this order from the side close to the electrode active material layer such that the thickness of the A layer is the thickness of the A layer in the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer: thickness of B layer 1: 2, the value obtained by dividing the atomic percent of carbon atoms contained in the layer a by the atomic percent of fluorine atoms contained in the layer a is 2.4 to 3.9.)

1. An electrode for a solid-state battery, characterized in that,

the electrode is provided with an electrode active material layer, a current collector, and a PTC resistor layer that is disposed between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and is in contact with the electrode active material layer,

the PTC resistor layer contains a carbon-containing conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluorine-containing polymer,

the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.36GPa or less, and

dividing the PTC resistor layer into a layer a and a layer B in this order from the side close to the electrode active material layer such that the thickness of the layer a in the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer is: thickness of B layer 1: at the time of 2, the reaction kettle is opened,

a value obtained by dividing the atomic percentage of carbon atoms contained in the A layer by the atomic percentage of fluorine atoms contained in the A layer is 2.4 to 3.9.

2. The electrode for solid-state batteries according to claim 1,

the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.22GPa to 0.36 GPa.

3. The electrode for a solid-state battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the insulating inorganic substance is a metal oxide.

4. The electrode for solid-state batteries according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the carbon-containing conductive material is carbon black.

5. A solid-state battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode,

at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is the solid-state battery electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electrode for a solid-state battery and a solid-state battery including the electrode.

Background

When a battery used as a power source mounted in a vehicle, a power source for a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like is internally short-circuited or overcharged, the temperature of the entire battery increases, and the battery itself and devices using the battery may be adversely affected.

As a measure for preventing such adverse effects, a technique has been attempted in which an electrode having a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resistor layer having electron conductivity at room Temperature and an electron resistance value increasing with an increase in Temperature is used.

Patent document 1 discloses an all-solid battery including: a laminate comprising a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode active material layer in this order; and a restraining member that applies a restraining pressure in a lamination direction of the laminate, wherein at least one of between the positive electrode active material layer and a positive electrode current collector layer that collects electrons of the positive electrode active material layer and between the negative electrode active material layer and a negative electrode current collector layer that collects electrons of the negative electrode active material layer is provided with a PTC film that contains a conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a polymer, and the PTC film contains the insulating inorganic substance in an amount of 50 vol% or more.

Patent document 2 discloses an all-solid-state battery including: a positive electrode layer having a positive electrode active material layer and a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode layer having a negative electrode active material layer and a negative electrode current collector; and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer, and having a PTC film between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode active material layer or between the negative electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material layer, or between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode active material layer and between the negative electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material layer, the PTC film having a conductive material and a resin.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the electrode including the PTC resistor layer containing an insulating inorganic substance as disclosed in patent document 1 has the following problems: the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is large at room temperature (15 ℃ to 30 ℃). Further, the electrode including the PTC resistor layer containing no insulating inorganic substance as disclosed in patent document 2 has the following problems: due to the influence of the confining pressure, the electron resistance is lowered under the high temperature condition.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electrode for a solid-state battery including at least a PTC resistor layer having a low electronic resistance at room temperature, and a solid-state battery including the electrode.

Means for solving the problems

The electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure is characterized in that,

provided with an electrode active material layer, a current collector, and a PTC resistor layer that is arranged between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and is in contact with the electrode active material layer,

the PTC resistor layer contains a carbon-containing conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluorine-containing polymer,

the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.36GPa or less, and

the PTC resistor layer is divided into a layer a and a layer B in this order from the side close to the electrode active material layer so that the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer is (the thickness of the layer a): (thickness of B layer) 1: at the time of 2, the reaction kettle is opened,

a value obtained by dividing the atomic percentage of carbon atoms contained in the A layer by the atomic percentage of fluorine atoms contained in the A layer is 2.4 to 3.9.

The surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer may have a hardness of 0.22GPa to 0.36 GPa.

The insulating inorganic substance may be a metal oxide.

The carbonaceous conductive material may be carbon black.

The solid-state battery according to the present disclosure is a solid-state battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is the solid-state battery electrode.

Effects of the invention

According to the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure, by setting the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer to a predetermined value or less and setting the content ratio of carbon atoms to fluorine atoms in the layer a closer to the electrode active material layer within a predetermined numerical range, the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer is more excellent in flexibility than in the past, and the contact property between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is excellent, and as a result, the tracking property of the PTC resistor layer to the surface of the electrode active material layer is excellent. As a result, when the electrode is used in a solid-state battery, an increase in the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer can be suppressed, and a decrease in the performance of the solid-state battery can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing an example of the layer structure of the electrode for a solid-state battery according to the present disclosure, and is a view schematically showing a cross section cut in the stacking direction.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of the layer structure of the solid-state battery of the present disclosure, and is a view schematically showing a cross section cut in the stacking direction.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic resistance measurement circuit including an evaluation sample.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between an electronic resistance of an evaluation sample of an electrode and a resistance of a solid-state battery including the electrode.

Description of the symbols

1 PTC resistor layer

1a A layer

1b B layer

2 electrode active material layer

3, 3' current collectors

10 solid-state battery electrode

20 electrolyte layer

30 other electrodes

40 micro tester (マイクロテスター)

50 evaluation sample

100 solid state battery

200 electronic resistance measuring circuit

Detailed Description

1. Electrode for solid battery

The electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure is characterized in that,

provided with an electrode active material layer, a current collector, and a PTC resistor layer that is arranged between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and is in contact with the electrode active material layer,

the PTC resistor layer contains a carbon-containing conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluorine-containing polymer,

the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.36GPa or less, and

the PTC resistor layer is divided into a layer a and a layer B in this order from the side close to the electrode active material layer so that the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer is (the thickness of the layer a): (thickness of B layer) 1: at the time of 2, the reaction kettle is opened,

a value obtained by dividing the atomic percentage of carbon atoms contained in the A layer by the atomic percentage of fluorine atoms contained in the A layer is 2.4 to 3.9.

It is known that in the case where a layer containing a conductive material and a polymer is provided between an electrode active material layer and a current collector, the layer exhibits a PTC resistor function in which the electronic resistance sharply increases when heated above the melting point of the polymer. The PTC resistor functions by peeling the conductive materials in contact with each other and blocking electron conduction due to the thermal expansion of the polymer. In the present disclosure, a layer exhibiting such a PTC resistor function is referred to as a PTC resistor layer.

In the solid-state battery including the PTC resistor layer, when the temperature of the solid-state battery increases due to overcharge or short-circuiting, electron conduction between the electrode active material layer and the current collector is inhibited, and thus the electrochemical reaction is stopped. Therefore, further temperature increase is suppressed, and adverse effects on the solid-state battery itself and the device using the solid-state battery can be prevented.

In addition, when a pressure is applied to the solid-state battery, the PTC resistor layer containing the conductive material and the polymer cannot maintain its structure due to deformation and flow of the polymer, and as a result, the PTC resistor layer may not function as a PTC resistor. Patent document 1 discloses a PTC resistor layer which further contains an insulating inorganic substance generally regarded as having high strength so that the PTC resistor layer can maintain its structure even when pressure is applied to a solid-state battery. It is considered that inside such a PTC resistor layer, the electronic resistance increases due to the insulating inorganic substance, and thus the electronic resistance in the entire electrode increases.

However, as a result of intensive studies, it has been found that in an electrode including a PTC resistor layer containing an insulating inorganic substance, the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is high in addition to the high electronic resistance inside the PTC resistor layer. This is considered to be because the presence of a large amount of the insulating inorganic substance on the surface of the PTC resistor layer lowers the contact property at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer.

In the solid-state battery electrode of the present disclosure, the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer is not more than a predetermined value, and the content ratio of carbon atoms to fluorine atoms in the a layer closer to the electrode active material layer is within a predetermined numerical range, whereby the performance degradation of the solid-state battery can be suppressed when the electrode is used in the solid-state battery.

The electrode for a solid battery of the present disclosure is provided with an electrode active material layer, a current collector, and a PTC resistor layer.

Fig. 1 is a view showing an example of the layer structure of the electrode for a solid-state battery according to the present disclosure, and is a view schematically showing a cross section cut in the stacking direction. As shown in fig. 1, the solid-state battery electrode 10 of the present disclosure includes: an electrode active material layer 2, a current collector 3, and a PTC resistor layer 1, the PTC resistor layer 1 being disposed between the electrode active material layer 2 and the current collector 3.

As shown in fig. 1, the PTC resistor layer 1 is in contact with the electrode active material layer 2. In addition, as shown in fig. 1, the PTC resistor layer 1 may be in contact with the current collector 3. Unlike the solid-state battery electrode 10 of fig. 1, another layer may be interposed between the PTC resistor layer 1 and the current collector 3.

The PTC resistor layer 1 includes an a layer 1a at a portion closer to the electrode active material layer 2, and a B layer 1B at a portion closer to the current collector 3. As described later, the content ratio of carbon atoms to fluorine atoms in the a layer 1a is within a predetermined range.

These layers constituting the electrode for a solid-state battery will be described in detail below.

(1) PTC resistor layer

The PTC resistor layer contains a carbon-containing conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluoropolymer, and is disposed between the electrode active material layer and the current collector and in contact with the electrode active material layer.

The carbon-containing conductive material contained in the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains carbon atoms and has conductivity. As the carbonaceous conductive material, for example: carbon black, activated carbon, carbon fibers (carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, etc.), graphite, and the like, and among these, carbon black is preferable. The conductive material may be in the form of particles or fibers.

The volume ratio of the carbon-containing conductive material in the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited. When the total volume of the carbon-containing conductive material, the insulating inorganic material, and the fluoropolymer is 100 vol%, the volume ratio of the carbon-containing conductive material in the PTC resistor layer may be 7 vol% to 50 vol%, or 7 vol% to 10 vol%.

The insulating inorganic material contained in the PTC resistor layer has a function of suppressing deformation and flow of the PTC resistor layer due to high temperature and pressure in the electrode for a solid-state battery.

The insulating inorganic material is not particularly limited as long as it has an insulating property and a melting point higher than that of a fluoropolymer described later, and examples thereof include: metal oxides, metal nitrides. Examples of the metal oxide include: alumina, zirconia, silica, and the like, and examples of the metal nitride include silicon nitride and the like. Examples of the insulating inorganic substance include ceramic materials. Among these materials, the insulating inorganic substance is preferably a metal oxide.

The insulating inorganic material is usually in the form of particles. The insulating inorganic material may be primary particles or secondary particles.

Average particle diameter (D) of insulating inorganic substance ₅₀) For example, the thickness may be 0.2 to 5 μm, or 0.4 to 2 μm. The particle distribution of the insulating inorganic substance is not particularly limited. The particle distribution of the insulating inorganic substance may show a normal distribution when represented by, for example, a frequency distribution.

The volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited. When the total volume of the carbonaceous conductive material, the insulating inorganic substance, and the fluoropolymer is 100 vol%, the volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the PTC resistor layer may be 40 vol% to 85 vol%, or 50 vol% to 60 vol%.

When the volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the PTC resistor layer is too small, it may be difficult to sufficiently suppress deformation and flow of the PTC resistor layer due to heating and pressure. On the other hand, when the volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the PTC resistor layer is too large, the volume ratio of the fluoropolymer decreases relatively, and therefore the effect of peeling the carbon-containing conductive materials from each other by the fluoropolymer may not be sufficiently obtained, and the increase in the electronic resistance may become insufficient. In addition, when the volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the PTC resistor layer is too large, the conductive path formed by the carbon-containing conductive material is blocked by the insulating inorganic substance, and there is a possibility that the electron conductivity of the PTC resistor layer in normal use is lowered. In the present disclosure, "electron conductivity of the PTC resistor layer" refers to a property of conduction of electrons in the PTC resistor layer, and strictly speaking, is different from the conductivity of the PTC resistor layer (a property of conduction of electricity in the PTC resistor layer).

The fluoropolymer contained in the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains fluorine and has a property of expanding when heated beyond the melting point. Examples of the fluoropolymer include: polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polyvinyl fluoride (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), perfluoroethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and the like. These fluoropolymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among these, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride and the like are preferable, and polyvinylidene fluoride is particularly preferable, from the viewpoint of melting point, easy processability and the like.

The volume ratio of the fluoropolymer in the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited. When the total volume of the carbonaceous conductive material, the insulating inorganic material, and the fluoropolymer is 100 vol%, the volume ratio of the fluoropolymer in the PTC resistor layer may be 8 vol% to 60 vol%, or 8 vol% to 45 vol%.

The thickness of the PTC resistor layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably from about 1 μm to about 30 μm.

As described above, in the conventional electrode including the PTC resistor layer containing an insulating inorganic substance, there is a problem that the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is large at room temperature (15 to 30 ℃). As described above, when an insulating inorganic substance is used to increase the electronic resistance under high temperature conditions, the electronic resistance at room temperature is also increased. However, merely reducing the content of the insulating inorganic substance lowers the electronic resistance under high temperature conditions, and thus the PTC resistor layer cannot sufficiently function.

Therefore, in order to reduce the electronic resistance at room temperature while maintaining high electronic resistance under high temperature conditions, it is necessary to improve the flexibility, the contact property, and the follow-up property of the PTC resistor layer with respect to the electrode active material layer. As described above, by improving the physical properties of the PTC resistor layer, more electronic contacts can be provided at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer than in the conventional case. Here, the electronic contact is a contact point between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer, which is capable of conducting at least electrons. As a result, at room temperature, the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer can be suppressed, and the performance degradation of the solid-state battery including the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure can be suppressed. On the other hand, since it is not necessary to reduce the amount of insulating inorganic substances in the PTC resistor layer, the function of stopping charge and discharge of the solid-state battery can be exhibited at the time of occurrence of a failure, restraint, or the like without lowering the electronic resistance under high-temperature conditions.

In the present disclosure, the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer is used as an index indicating the flexibility, the contact property, and the follow-up property of the PTC resistor layer with respect to the electrode active material layer. As the hardness is smaller, the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has more excellent flexibility, and therefore the contact property between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is excellent, and as a result, the tracking property of the PTC resistor layer with respect to the surface of the electrode active material layer is excellent. Therefore, the number of electronic contacts between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is larger than that of the conventional one. As a result, an increase in the electronic resistance between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer at room temperature can be suppressed, and thus a decrease in the performance of the solid-state battery can be suppressed.

In the present disclosure, the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer is according to ISO 14577: the first part of 2015 (Test method) (part.1), hardness by micro-press Test (hardness).

The sample to be subjected to the micro-press-in test may be the PTC resistor layer itself, or may be a laminate in which the PTC resistor layer is exposed on at least one surface. Examples of the laminate in which the PTC resistor layer is exposed on at least one surface include: a laminate including a PTC resistor layer and a current collector, a laminate including a PTC resistor layer and an electrode active material layer, a laminate including a PTC resistor layer and another substrate, and the like. The other substrate referred to herein is a material that serves as a support for forming the PTC resistor layer, typically a transfer substrate for the PTC resistor layer, in addition to the current collector and the electrode active material layer.

The laminate provided with the PTC resistor layer and the current collector may be a laminate obtained from an electrode or a solid-state battery provided with the electrode, or may be a laminate a used for producing a sample for evaluation described later.

The laminate provided with the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer may be a laminate obtained from an electrode or a solid-state battery provided with the electrode, or may be a laminate B used for the preparation of a sample for evaluation described later.

The method of measuring the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer is as follows.

The surface of the PTC resistor layer exposed on the surface in the above sample was measured using a nanoindenter (model G200, manufactured by MTS Systems) in accordance with ISO 14577: the first part (Test method) of 2015, part.1(Test method), measures hardness. Specifically, the hardness (GPa) at 15 points at a press-in depth of 400nm to 600nm was measured.

The average value of the obtained hardness values was taken as the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer.

The surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer has a hardness of 0.36GPa or less. When the hardness is more than 0.36GPa, the PTC resistor layer has poor flexibility, contact properties and conformability to the electrode active material layer, and the number of electrical contacts between the layers is small. Therefore, even if an electrode exhibiting such hardness is used for a solid-state battery, it is difficult to suppress a decrease in performance of the solid-state battery.

The surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer preferably has a hardness of 0.22GPa to 0.36GPa, more preferably 0.23GPa to 0.35GPa, and still more preferably 0.24GPa to 0.34 GPa. The hardness also depends on the type and content ratio of the materials contained in the PTC resistor layer, but it is often technically difficult to make the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer have a hardness of less than 0.22 GPa.

As a method for making the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer to be 0.36GPa or less, for example, a method of forming a PTC resistor layer by applying a second slurry to the first coating surface as in the production method described later, and the like can be cited. In this case, it is preferable that the second slurry does not contain an insulating inorganic substance, or that the volume ratio (based on solid content) of the insulating inorganic substance contained in the second slurry is lower than the volume ratio of the insulating inorganic substance in the first coating layer.

In addition to the method of applying the second slurry on the surface of the first coating layer, as a method of achieving the above hardness, for example: and a rolling, Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) method and a hot Isostatic pressing (HotIsostatic Press; HIP) method, which will be described later. However, it is more effective to apply the second slurry to the surface of the first coating layer to make the hardness 0.36GPa or less than to press a laminate including the PTC resistor layer.

In addition, adjustment of the amount of the carbon-containing conductive material contained in the second paste, adjustment of the coating thickness of the second paste, and the like are also effective for further reducing the above hardness.

The method for measuring the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer in the completed solid-state battery is not particularly limited. Examples thereof include: and a method of disassembling the solid-state battery described later in an inert gas atmosphere (for example, in an Ar gas atmosphere) and taking out the PTC resistor layer from the disassembled solid-state battery.

Thereafter, the surface of the PTC resistor layer which was in contact with the electrode active material layer before the detachment was measured by a nanoindenter (manufactured by MTS Systems, Inc., model G200) according to ISO 14577: the first part (Test method) of 2015, part.1(Test method), measures hardness. Specifically, the hardness (GPa) at 15 points at a press-in depth of 400nm to 600nm was measured.

The average value of the obtained hardness values was taken as the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer.

In the present disclosure, the PTC resistor layer is divided into an a layer and a B layer in order from the side close to the electrode active material layer, so that the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer is (the thickness of the a layer): (thickness of B layer) 1: 2. here, the thickness direction of the PTC resistor layer means a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the PTC resistor layer extends, in other words, a direction parallel to the lamination direction of a laminate including the electrode active material layer, the PTC resistor layer, and the current collector.

The layer a is a layer occupying one third of the thickness of the PTC resistor layer from the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer. On the other hand, the layer B is a layer occupying two thirds of the thickness of the PTC resistor layer from the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the layer on the opposite side of the electrode active material layer (for example, the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the current collector layer) among the PTC resistor layers. Further, in the a layer, the content ratio of carbon atoms to fluorine atoms in the specified numerical range is one of the main features of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the a layer and the B layer are defined such that in the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer are (the thickness of the a layer): (thickness of B layer) 1: 2. in fact, since the layer a and the layer B are often formed integrally as a PTC resistor layer, it is often difficult to completely separate these layers. The above definitions are merely definitions set for convenience sake in order to specify the content ratio of carbon atoms to fluorine atoms on the side closer to the electrode active material layer in the PTC resistor layer.

The value obtained by dividing the atomic percent (atomic%) of carbon atoms (C) contained in the a layer by the atomic percent (atomic%) of fluorine atoms (F) contained in the a layer (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as C/F value) is usually 2.4 to 3.9, preferably 2.5 to 3.8, and more preferably 2.6 to 3.7.

When the C/F value in the layer a on the side closer to the electrode active material layer in the PTC resistor layer is within the above range, the thermal stability of the entire PTC resistor layer is improved, and the electron resistance value at high temperature is further increased. As a result, when the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure is used in a solid-state battery, the progress of the battery reaction can be suppressed when the battery temperature increases due to an internal short circuit or the like.

In the case where the C/F value is less than 2.4, the carbon content in the a layer is too small, and thus a conductive path at the interface of the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer cannot be ensured in a sufficient amount. On the other hand, if the C/F value is greater than 3.9, the carbon content in the a layer becomes too high, and therefore the thermal stability of the entire PTC resistor layer is lowered.

The index of thermal stability referred to herein includes the electronic resistance under high temperature (e.g., 250 ℃ C.). The more the electrode for a solid-state battery having a high electronic resistance under high temperature conditions, the more excellent the thermal stability.

The calculation method of the C/F value in the present disclosure is as follows.

First, the electrode for the solid battery is subjected to cross-sectional processing by a cross-sectional polisher (CP). The cross section of the obtained PTC resistor layer was observed with a Field Emission Scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM).

Next, in the obtained SEM image, the PTC resistor layer was set as an a layer and a B layer in this order from the side close to the electrode active material layer so that the thickness direction of any portion of the PTC resistor layer was (the thickness of the a layer): (thickness of B layer) 1: 2. thus, the cross-sectional area of the a layer is 1/3 of the cross-sectional area of the entire PTC resistor layer, and the cross-sectional area of the B layer is 2/3 of the cross-sectional area of the entire PTC resistor layer. The layer a referred to here does not necessarily correspond to the second coating layer (layer on the side closer to the positive electrode active material layer) in the production method described later. The layer B does not necessarily correspond to the first coating layer (layer on the collector side) in the production method described later.

Subsequently, elemental analysis of the cross section of the A layer in the PTC resistor layer was performed by Flat QUAD-Energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FQ-EDX).

Then, from the results of the elemental analysis, the amount of C (atomic%) and the amount of F (atomic%) contained in the cross section of the a layer were calculated. The value obtained by dividing the amount of C (atomic%) by the amount of F (atomic%) was defined as the C/F value for the electrode for a solid-state battery.

In this evaluation method, a solid-state battery including an electrode for a solid-state battery may be used instead of the electrode for a solid-state battery, or an evaluation sample described later may be used.

The contact area of the PTC resistor layer with the electrode active material layer is not particularly limited. When the PTC resistor layer is in contact with the electrode active material layer, preferably 50% or more of the area of the electrode active material layer, more preferably 70% or more of the area of the electrode active material layer, and even more preferably 99% or more of the area of the electrode active material layer, the effect of suppressing an increase in the electronic resistance at the interface between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer can be sufficiently exhibited.

Here, the contact area between the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer is an area where the PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer apparently contact each other, regardless of the presence or absence of an electronic contact between these layers.

(2) Electrode active material layer

The electrode active material layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains at least an electrode active material, and may contain a binder, a conductive material, and a solid electrolyte as needed.

In the case where the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure is used as a positive electrode, the electrode active material is not particularly limited as long as it can be generally used as a positive electrode active material. As the positive electrode active material, for example, in the case where the ions to be transferred are lithium ions, there are listed: LiCoO ₂、LiNiO ₂Etc. having a layered structure, LiMn ₂O ₄And compounds having a spinel structure, LiFePO ₄And the like having an olivine-type structure.

In the case where the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure is used as an anode, the electrode active material is not particularly limited as long as it can be generally used as an anode active material. As the negative electrode active material, for example, in the case where the transferred ions are lithium ions, there can be mentioned: carbon materials, lithium alloys, and oxides, nitrides, and the like.

The binder is not particularly limited as long as it is chemically stable and electrically stable. Examples of the binder include: fluorine-containing binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity. As the conductive material, for example: carbon materials such as carbon black, activated carbon, carbon fibers (carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, etc.), and graphite.

The solid electrolyte material is not particularly limited as long as it has ion conductivity. Examples of the solid electrolyte material include: inorganic solid electrolyte materials such as sulfide solid electrolyte materials and oxide solid electrolyte materials. As the sulfide solid electrolyte material, for example: li ₂S-SiS ₂、LiI-Li ₂S-SiS ₂、LiI-Li ₂S-P ₂S ₅、LiI-Li ₂O-Li ₂S-P ₂S ₅、LiI-Li ₂S-P ₂O ₅、LiI-Li ₃PO ₄-P ₂S ₅、Li ₂S-P ₂S ₅、Li ₃PS ₄、LiI-LiBr-Li ₂S-P ₂S ₅、Li ₂S-P ₂S ₅-GeS ₂And the like.

(3) Current collector

The material of the current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has electron conductivity. As the material of the current collector, for example: al, Cu, Ni, SUS, Fe, etc. Among these, in the case of using the electrode for a solid battery of the present disclosure as a positive electrode, it is preferable to use Al as a material of a current collector. Among these, in the case of using the electrode for a solid battery of the present disclosure as an anode, Cu is preferably used as a material of a current collector.

(4) Properties of electrode for solid-state battery

When the solid-state battery is assumed to be used normally, the value of the electronic resistance of the electrode for a solid-state battery is preferably small at room temperature (15 ℃ C. to 30 ℃ C.). In contrast, from the viewpoint of exhibiting a function of stopping the battery reaction at high temperatures, the value of the electronic resistance of the electrode for a solid-state battery under high-temperature conditions is preferably large.

The ratio of the electron resistance value of the electrode for a solid-state battery under high-temperature conditions to the electron resistance value of the electrode for a solid-state battery under room temperature is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and still more preferably 5 or more. When the ratio is too small, the battery characteristics excellent in normal use and the battery stopping function when a failure occurs, when restraining, or the like may not be compatible. In addition, when the ratio is too small, the thermal stability of the electrode for a solid-state battery may be poor.

The ratio of the electron resistance value of the electrode for a solid-state battery under high-temperature conditions to the electron resistance value of the electrode for a solid-state battery under room temperature may be 20000 or less.

(5) Method for manufacturing electrode for solid battery

The method for producing the electrode for a solid-state battery is not particularly limited as long as the electrode for a solid-state battery can be obtained. Two embodiments of the method for producing an electrode for a solid-state battery will be described below, but the method for producing an electrode for a solid-state battery according to the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

A. First embodiment

A first embodiment of a method for manufacturing an electrode for a solid-state battery includes: (a) a step of forming a first coating layer on a surface of a current collector; (b) a step of forming a PTC resistor layer by applying a second slurry onto the first coating layer surface; and (c) a step of laminating an electrode active material layer on the PTC resistor layer.

(a) Process for forming a first coating on a surface of a current collector

In the present process, a first coating layer is formed by coating a first slurry on the surface of the current collector and then drying.

The first slurry contains a carbonaceous conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluoropolymer. Details of these materials are as described above. The volume ratios and distributions of the carbon-containing conductive material, the insulating inorganic material, and the fluoropolymer in the PTC resistor layer provided in the solid-state battery electrode can be adjusted as appropriate by adjusting the content ratios of the carbon-containing conductive material, the insulating inorganic material, and the fluoropolymer in the first slurry and the second slurry, which will be described later.

The content ratio of each material in the first slurry includes, for example: the volume ratio of the carbon-containing conductive material: fluoropolymer: insulating inorganic substance 10: 30: 60, etc.

The first slurry may include a non-aqueous solvent in which a carbonaceous conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluoropolymer are dissolved or dispersed. The kind of the nonaqueous solvent is not particularly limited, and N-methylpyrrolidone, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylacetamide and the like can be mentioned, and N-methylpyrrolidone is preferable from the viewpoint of safety such as a high flash point and a small influence on the human body.

The content ratio of the nonaqueous solvent in the first slurry is not particularly limited, and may be 80 to 93 vol%, or 82 to 90 vol%, when the total volume of the first slurry is 100 vol%.

The method of forming the first coating layer is not particularly limited, and generally, a first slurry obtained by dispersing a carbonaceous conductive material, an insulating inorganic substance, and a fluoropolymer in a nonaqueous solvent is coated on a current collector and dried. In order to uniformly form the first coating layer, the solid content concentration of the first slurry containing the carbonaceous conductive material, the insulating inorganic substance, and the fluoropolymer may be set to 13 to 40 mass%.

The thickness of the first coating layer is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 1 μm to about 30 μm.

The drying conditions of the first slurry are not particularly limited, and may be temperature conditions to such an extent that the non-aqueous solvent can be distilled off.

(b) A step of forming a PTC resistor layer by applying a second slurry on the surface of the first coating layer

In this process, the PTC resistor layer is formed by further applying the second slurry on the surface of the first coating layer on the surface of the current collector, followed by drying. Here, the PTC resistor layer is a layer composed of the solid content of the second paste and the first coat layer.

The second slurry contains a carbon-containing conductive material and a fluoropolymer. The second slurry may or may not further contain an insulating inorganic substance. In the case where the second paste does not contain an insulating inorganic substance, the contact property of the interface between the obtained PTC resistor layer and the electrode active material layer can be further improved as compared with the case where the second paste contains an insulating inorganic substance.

Examples of the content ratio of each material in the second slurry, in which the second slurry does not contain an insulating inorganic substance, include: the volume ratio of the conductive material: polymer 85: 15-20: 80, etc.

The content ratio of the nonaqueous solvent in the second slurry is not particularly limited, and may be 75 to 95 vol%, or 85 to 90 vol%, when the total volume of the second slurry is 100 vol%.

The method of coating and drying the second slurry is not particularly limited, and generally, the second slurry obtained by dispersing the carbonaceous conductive material and the fluoropolymer in a nonaqueous solvent is coated on a current collector and dried. In order to uniformly apply the second slurry, the solid content concentration of the second slurry containing at least the carbon-containing conductive material and the fluoropolymer may be set to 13 to 35 mass%.

The thickness of a layer corresponding to a portion obtained by applying and drying the second slurry (hereinafter, this layer may be referred to as a second coat layer) is also not particularly limited, but is preferably from about 1 μm to about 10 μm, and more preferably from 2 μm to 6 μm. The thickness of the second coating layer is determined by, for example, the difference between the thickness of the laminate before the second coating layer is formed and the thickness of the laminate after the second coating layer is formed.

In general, the PTC resistor layer is formed by integrating the first coating layer and the solid content of the second slurry after the second slurry is applied and dried.

The laminate of the current collector and the PTC resistor layer is preferably pressed before the electrode active material layer is laminated. As the pressing method, rolling, Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP), Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), and the like can be used. When the pressing pressure is too high, cracks may be generated in the PTC resistor layer. For example, in the case of roll pressing, it is preferable to set the pressing pressure to 5.6kN/cm to 14.2kN/cm in terms of line pressure.

By pressing the laminate of the current collector and the PTC resistor layer, the hardness of the surface of the PTC resistor layer in contact with the electrode active material layer can be made 0.25GPa or less (see example 3 and example 4).

(c) Step of laminating electrode active material layer on PTC resistor layer

By laminating an electrode active material layer on the PTC resistor layer, a laminate having the electrode active material layer, the PTC resistor layer, and the current collector was produced. Details of materials (electrode active material, binder, conductive material, and solid electrolyte) that can be used for the electrode active material layer are as described above.

The electrode active material layer can be formed by a method known in the art. For example, the electrode active material layer may be formed by sufficiently stirring a raw material mixture of the electrode active material layer, then coating the raw material mixture on the substrate or the PTC resistor layer, and appropriately drying.

Here, in the case of forming the electrode active material layer on the substrate, roll pressing under a high temperature condition (hot roll pressing) may be used. A more densified electrode active material layer can be obtained by hot roll pressing. In the case where the electrode active material layer is formed on the PTC resistor layer, the polymer in the PTC resistor layer may thermally expand when the heating temperature is too high during hot rolling, and therefore the upper limit temperature during hot rolling needs to be set according to the polymer characteristics, the composition of the PTC resistor layer, and the like. Generally, it is preferred to perform hot rolling at less than the melting point of the polymer.

B. Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the method for manufacturing an electrode for a solid-state battery includes: (a) a step of forming a first coating layer on a surface of a current collector; (b') a step of forming a second coating layer on the surface of the electrode active material layer; and (c') a step of producing a laminate comprising the current collector, the PTC resistor layer, and the electrode active material layer.

Wherein (a) is the same as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, (b ') and (c') will be described.

(b') a step of forming a second coating layer on the surface of the electrode active material layer

In this process, a second coating layer is formed by applying a second slurry on the surface of the substrate and then drying, and thereafter, a second coating layer is formed on the electrode active material layer by transferring the second coating layer from the substrate onto the electrode active material layer.

In the first embodiment, as described in the above (b), the second coating layer is formed on the first coating layer. In contrast, in the present step of the second embodiment, the second coating layer is formed on the electrode active material layer. As described above, in the two embodiments, the members to be formed with the second coating layer are different from each other.

By transferring the second coating layer from the substrate onto the electrode active material layer, there is an advantage in that the solvent used for the second slurry does not exert an influence on the electrode active material layer.

As for the second slurry and the resulting second coating layer, the same as those of the first embodiment.

The base material for forming the second coating layer is also not particularly limited, and for example, Al, PET, Cu, SUS, or the like can be used.

(c') Process for producing a laminate comprising an electrode active material layer, a PTC resistor layer and a Current collector

In this step, the first coating layer on the surface of the current collector is laminated so as to be in contact with the second coating layer on the surface of the electrode active material layer, whereby the first coating layer and the second coating layer are integrated to form the PTC resistor layer. As a result, a laminate including the electrode active material layer, the PTC resistor layer, and the current collector can be produced.

(6) Measurement of electronic resistance of electrode for solid-state battery

One of evaluations of the electrode for a solid-state battery is measurement of electronic resistance. In the measurement of the electronic resistance, a solid-state battery including an electrode for a solid-state battery or an evaluation sample including an electrode for a solid-state battery is used.

Hereinafter, the sample for evaluation will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sample for evaluation including the electrode for a solid-state battery according to the present disclosure. The solid-state battery electrode 10 of fig. 3 corresponds to the solid-state battery electrode 10 of fig. 1 and 2. Note that, in fig. 3, the a layer and the B layer are not shown.

As shown in fig. 3, the layer structure of the evaluation sample 50 is: current collector 3/PTC resistor layer 1/positive electrode active material layer 2/current collector 3'/positive electrode active material layer 2/PTC resistor layer 1/current collector 3. As is clear from fig. 3, the evaluation sample 50 is configured by disposing the current collector 3' between 2 solid-state battery electrodes 10 in which the positive electrode active material layers 2 face each other.

An example of a method for producing the evaluation sample is as follows. First, a laminate of 2 PTC resistor layers and a current collector (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as laminate a) and a laminate of a positive electrode active material layer and a current collector (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as laminate B) were each prepared. Next, for 2 laminates B, the two laminates B were laminated such that the positive electrode active material layer of one laminate B was in contact with the current collector of the other laminate B. By peeling off one current collector positioned outside of the obtained laminate, a laminate having a structure as follows (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as laminate C) was produced: positive electrode active material layer/current collector/positive electrode active material layer. The laminate C corresponds to the central portion (positive electrode active material layer 2/current collector 3'/positive electrode active material layer 2) of the sample 50 for evaluation shown in fig. 3. Finally, the 2 laminates a were laminated on both sides of the laminate C so that the positive electrode active material layers were in contact with the PTC resistor layers, thereby producing an evaluation sample 50 shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic resistance measurement circuit including an evaluation sample. As shown in fig. 3, a micro-tester 40 was connected to the evaluation sample 50 to fabricate an electronic resistance measurement circuit 200. The electronic resistance of each of the evaluation samples 50 under room temperature conditions (e.g., 25 ℃) and high temperature conditions (e.g., 250 ℃) can be measured using the electronic resistance measuring circuit 200.

Instead of the evaluation sample 50 shown in fig. 3, the solid-state battery described later may be supplied for the measurement of the electronic resistance.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the electronic resistance of the evaluation sample including the PTC resistor layer and the resistance of the solid-state battery including the electrode including the PTC resistor layer. FIG. 4 is a graph in which the vertical axis represents the resistance (. omega. cm) of the solid-state battery ²) And the horizontal axis represents the electronic resistance (Ω · cm) of the sample for evaluation ²) The figure (a).

As is clear from fig. 4, when the electronic resistance of the evaluation sample increases, the resistance of the solid-state battery also increases. As described above, since the correlation between the electronic resistance of the evaluation sample and the resistance of the solid-state battery is high, the measurement result of the electronic resistance obtained using the evaluation sample can be said to be a test result reflecting the performance of the solid-state battery itself.

2. Solid-state battery

The solid-state battery according to the present disclosure is a solid-state battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is the solid-state battery electrode.

In the present disclosure, a solid battery refers to a battery including a solid electrolyte. Therefore, the solid-state battery of the present disclosure may be composed entirely of a solid component, or may contain both a solid component and a liquid component, as long as the solid-state battery contains a solid electrolyte.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of the layer structure of the solid-state battery of the present disclosure, and is a view schematically showing a cross section cut in the stacking direction. As shown in fig. 2, the solid-state battery 100 includes: a solid-state battery electrode 10, another electrode 30, and an electrolyte layer 20, wherein the electrolyte layer 20 is disposed between the solid-state battery electrode 10 and the another electrode 30.

Here, the solid-state battery electrode 10 corresponds to the solid-state battery electrode of the present disclosure described above. The other electrode 30 is an electrode facing the electrode for solid-state battery 10. The solid-state battery electrode 10 may be a positive electrode, and the other electrode 30 may be a negative electrode. The solid-state battery electrode 10 may be a negative electrode, and the other electrode 30 may be a positive electrode. Alternatively, unlike fig. 2, both the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be the solid-state battery electrode of the present disclosure.

The electrode 10 for a solid-state battery is as described above. For the other electrode 30, i.e., a general positive electrode or negative electrode for a solid battery, a known technique can be referred to. In particular, for a cathode active material layer and a cathode current collector that can be used for a cathode, or an anode active material layer and an anode current collector that can be used for an anode, the descriptions of these materials used in the present disclosure may be appropriately referred to.

The electrolyte layer 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer having ion conductivity. The electrolyte layer 20 may be a layer containing only a solid electrolyte, or may be a layer containing both a solid electrolyte and a liquid electrolyte.

As the electrolyte layer containing only the solid electrolyte, for example: a polymer solid electrolyte layer, an oxide solid electrolyte layer, a sulfide solid electrolyte layer, and the like.

As the electrolyte layer containing both the solid electrolyte and the liquid electrolyte, for example: a porous solid electrolyte layer impregnated with an aqueous electrolyte solution or a nonaqueous electrolyte solution.

The shape of the solid-state battery of the present disclosure is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the solid-state battery include: coin type, flat plate type, cylinder type, and the like.

The solid-state battery of the present disclosure may be a single cell ( セル) as shown in fig. 2, or may be a battery assembly including 2 or more of the single cells. Examples of the battery assembly include: a stack in which 2 or more flat cells are stacked.

As described above, the electrode for a solid-state battery of the present disclosure exhibits an excellent effect of suppressing a decrease in performance of the solid-state battery under a condition where a pressure is applied. Therefore, the electrode for a solid-state battery according to the present disclosure exhibits excellent effects not only when an unintended pressure is applied to the solid-state battery, such as when a defect occurs in the solid-state battery due to internal short-circuiting, overcharge, or the like, but also when an intentional pressure is applied to the solid-state battery, such as when a restraining member or the like is used. When a defect occurs in the solid-state battery, an unexpected local pressure is usually applied to the solid-state battery. In contrast, when the restraining member is used for the solid-state battery, a predetermined pressure is generally applied to the entire solid-state battery.

The constraining member may be a member capable of applying a constraining pressure to a laminate including 2 electrodes and an electrolyte layer located between the 2 electrodes in a direction substantially parallel to the lamination direction. A known solid-state battery restraint member can be used for the solid-state battery of the present disclosure. As a known binding member for a solid-state battery, for example, a binding member having: 2 sheets of 1 set of plate-like portions that sandwich the solid-state battery from the outside; 1 or 2 or more rod-shaped parts connecting the 2 plate-shaped parts; and an adjusting part which is connected with the rod-shaped part and can adjust the constraint pressure through a spiral structure and the like. In the case of this example, the confining pressure applied to the solid-state battery can be adjusted by appropriately controlling the adjusting portion.

The confining pressure is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1MPa or more, more preferably 1MPa or more, and still more preferably 5MPa or more. When the confining pressure is 0.1MPa or more, the layers constituting the solid-state battery are more favorably in contact with each other. On the other hand, the confining pressure is, for example, preferably 100MPa or less, more preferably 50MPa or less, and still more preferably 20MPa or less. When the confining pressure is 100MPa or less, a special confining member is not required.