Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery employing a positive electrode active material containing a compound represented by the general formula LixMyPO4, where 0<x≦2 and 0.8≦y≦1.2, with M containing a 3d transition metal, where LixMyPO4 encompasses that with the grain size not larger than 10 &mgr;m. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has superior cyclic characteristics and a high capacity.

Abstract: The invention provides a positive electrode material and a battery using the same which can achieve a higher discharge voltage and which can obtain excellent charge-and-discharge properties, without reducing the capacity. A positive electrode (12) and a negative electrode (14) are configured through a separator (15) in between. The positive electrode (12) contains a compound expressed by a general formula Li1+xMnyFezPO4 (wherein x, y and z are values within ranges of 0<x<0.1, 0.5<y<0.95, and 0.9<y+z≦1, respectively). According to the compound, the higher discharge voltage can be obtained due to Mn, the Jahn Teller effect of Mn3+ can be attenuated and furthermore distortion of the crystal structure and the reduction of the capacity can be inhibited due to Fe and the excess Li.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material and a non-aqueous electrolyte cell which uses the positive electrode active material. The cell has a high discharge voltage without lowering the capacity and superior charging/discharging characteristics. To this end, the positive electrode active material contains a compound represented by the general formula LixMnyFe1-yPO4, wherein 0<x≦2 and 0.5<y<0.95, or a compound represented by the general formula LixMnyA1-yPO4, where 0<x≦2 and 0<y<1 and wherein A is a metal element selected from among Ti, Zn, Mg and Co or plural metal elements selected from among Ti, Fe, Zn, Mg and Co.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of safely producing a high quality negative electrode material composed of a mixture of a non-carbon material and a carbon material, a negative electrode using the negative electrode material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte battery using the negative electrode. The high quality negative electrode is produced by pulverizing and classifying each of the non-carbon material and the carbon material in an inert gas atmosphere, and further mixing them to each other in an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A material for a negative electrode capable of preventing change in the volume of an active material occurring when lithium is doped/dedoped to improve resistance against cycle operations. A material for a negative electrode contains a mixture of a non-carbon material and a carbon material, wherein when an assumption is made that the average particle size of the non-carbon material is RM and the average particle size of the carbon material is RC, the ratio RM/RC is not higher than one, and when an assumption is made that the weight of the non-carbon material is WM and the weight of the carbon is WC, the ratio WM/WC is not higher than one or a mixture of a silicon compound and a carbon material, wherein when an assumption is made that the average particle size of the silicon compound is RSi and the average particle size of the carbon material is RC, the ratio RSi/RC is not higher than one.