Abstract: A carbon material includes carbon particles having a graphite structure, the particles having a carbonaceous material deposited on at least a portion of the surface thereof, and fibrous carbon. In the carbon material, the carbonaceous material is obtained by subjecting a composition containing a polymer to heat treatment. The fibrous carbon is preferably deposited to the carbon particles through a carbonaceous material obtained by subjecting a composition containing a polymer. As a result, when the carbon material is used as a negative electrode active material for a secondary battery, the electrical conductivity can be improved and large current load enduring characteristics and cycle characteristics can be improved. By coating the carbonaceous material onto the carbon particles having a graphite structure, destruction of the graphite structure by the polyethylene carbonate-based electrolytic solution can be prevented.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing at high productivity graphite powder containing no impurity, in which carbon powder material is effectively heated for graphitization; and an apparatus for producing the graphite powder. Carbon powder is placed in a carbon-made container, and the container is heated through a supply of electricity to the container. An apparatus comprising a heating chamber is provided. The container can be continuously conveyed to the apparatus, heated in the apparatus, and removed from the apparatus. Through use of the apparatus, graphite carbon powder which is suitably employed in a lithium-ion secondary battery can be produced.

Abstract: A negative electrode material comprising carbonaceous powder serving as a nucleus, and a carbon layer formed on the surface of the powder, characterized in that the carbon layer, when observed under a transmission electron microscope, has crystalline carbon regions and amorphous carbon regions in a bright-field image thereof, and that the ratio of the intensity of a peak at 1,360 cm−1 in a laser Raman spectrum of the carbon layer to that of a peak at 1,580 cm−1 in the spectrum is 0.3 or less. Also disclosed is a method for producing the negative electrode material, an electrode paste, an electrode, and a secondary battery including the electrode.

Abstract: A battery electrode material composed of a composite material including fiber agglomerates having micro-pores and an electrode active material included within the micro-pores of the fiber agglomerates. The agglomerates are formed by tangled masses of vapor-grown carbon fibers having fiber contact points. Furthermore, at least a portion of the fiber contact points are chemically bonded fiber contact points. Also disclosed is a secondary battery including electrodes made from the battery electrode material.

Abstract: A carbon fiber material is substantially constituted by fiber agglomerates, having agglomerate sizes in a range of not less than 5 .mu.m and not more than 500 .mu.m, formed by vapor grown carbon fibers having a diameter of not less than 0.05 .mu.m and not more than 5 .mu.m, having a microstructure such that some fiber contact points are bonded together with substances produced by carbonizing carbonaceous matters. This carbon fiber material is used as a filler material to various matrices, and used also as an electrode material for making electrodes in batteries, especially in electric double-layer capacitors, and in secondary batteries, especially those based on lithium or lead.