Development of LiCoO2 used for rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Abstract

Currently, the lithium-ion battery is an indispensable battery for the power sources of mobile devices such as notebook-sized personal computers and mobile phones since the rechargeable lithium-ion battery was commercialized for the first time in 1990. In particular, the rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the mobile phone have both expanded their markets. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery has become widely used in the Asian countries in connection with the popularization of mobile phones in South Korea and China. The performance of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery (in particular, capacity) is improved every year. Initially, the number of manufacturers of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries was as high as 10-11 companies in Japan, including newcomer companies, while the number in China has not been accurately counted. On the other hand, the battery price is continuously decreasing. Currently, some manufacturers plan to withdraw from the rechargeable lithium-ion battery business, and there is the possibility that the existing manufacturers might be consolidated into a few companies in the near future. The manufacturing of a battery is not easily accomplished just by introducing new equipment; advanced know-how is required for its manufacturing. Therefore, it is assumed that the Japanese manufacturers still dominate the overseas manufacturers in this field. Moreover, when we pay attention to other energy devices, the developments of the capacitor and the fuel cell are also proceeding, and it is expected that they will compete or coexist with the rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the future. Nippon Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd., also is involved in the development so that we can survive as a supplier of the positive electrode-active material in the future. In this chapter, we will introduce the manufacturing process and the characteristics of LiCoO2, which is mainly used as the positive electrode-active material of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. However, some technologies are confidential; therefore, we would like to ask you to overlook this area if not easily understood. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.