Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided with a positive electrode including a positive-electrode active material, a negative electrode including a negative-electrode active material, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The negative electrode further includes carbon fibers and carbon flakes. The synergistic effects of the improved retention of the electrolyte solution by the carbon fibers and the improved conductivity between the active material particles by the carbon flakes facilitate doping/undoping of lithium in a high-load current mode and increase the capacity of the battery in the high-load current mode.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide an electrolyte solution and a secondary battery which are prevented from causing or suffering battery performance deterioration in high-temperature storage or high-temperature trickle charge. The invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte solution for a secondary battery which comprises solute, phosphinic ester compound, and nonaqueous organic solvent containing these, characterized in that the content of the phosphinic ester compound has been regulated to a specific amount based on the total weight of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology of inhibiting the decomposition of the solvent of the electrolyte solution for the secondary battery. Further, the present invention provides a technology of prohibiting the resistance increase of the secondary battery and improving the storage properties such as improving the capacity retention ratio. The electrolyte solution 15 comprising non-proton solvent and cyclic sulfonic ester including at least two sulfonyl groups may be used.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating solid-state energy-storage devices including fabrication films for devices without an anneal step. A film of an energy-storage device is fabricated by depositing a first material layer to a location on a substrate. Energy is supplied directly to the material forming the film. The energy can be in the form of energized ions of a second material. Supplying energy directly to the material and/or the film being deposited assists in controlling the growth and stoichiometry of the film. The method allows for the fabrication of ultrathin films such as electrolyte films and dielectric films.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-aqueous electrolyte compositions of the present invention that comprise non-aqueous solvents and monomers such as aniline, phenanthrene, ethylenedioxythiophene, benzothiophene or derivatives thereof. The monomers are contained in the electrolytes of the present invention in the amounts of less than about 5.0 weight percent of the non-aqueous solvent. In the present invention, cyclic carbonates, linear carbonates or mixtures thereof can be used as the non-aqueous solvents. The electrolyte compositions of the present invention improve the safety characteristics of the cell by preventing the flow of large currents resulting from overcharge or feed-through, and also improve cell life characteristic by helping the reversible transfer of lithium ions.

Abstract: An electrode material comprising a powdery mixture of a metal material (particularly, an intermetallic compound) and a capacitive carbon material each capable of doping and dedoping lithium, and an optionally added fine electroconductive additive, and containing the metal material and the capacitive carbon material in amounts of 5–60 wt. % and 40–95 wt. %, respectively, is used as an active substance for an electrode, particularly a negative electrode, of a non-aqueous solvent secondary cell. As a result, there is provided a non-aqueous solvent secondary cell which has large charge-discharge capacities, a small irreversible capacity determined as a difference between the doping capacity and the de-doping capacity, and also excellent cycle characteristics.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery comprising a material mixture layer comprising a carbonaceous material comprising a spherical natural graphite and a graphitized carbon fiber, wherein the material mixture layer has a carbon density of not less than 1.6 g/cm3; the spherical natural graphite has: (1) an interplanar spacing d002 between the (002) planes determined by an X-ray diffraction pattern of 0.3354 to 0.3357 nm, (2) a mean particle circularity of not less than 0.86, and (3) a mean particle size of 5 to 20 ?m; the graphitized carbon fiber has: (1) a mean fiber length of 20 to 200 ?m, and (2) a mean aspect ratio of 2 to 10; and the amount of the graphitized carbon fiber is 50 to 90% by weight of whole of the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a graphite material for negative electrode of lithium secondary battery. This graphite material is obtained by carbonizing the pulverized green coke to yield coke, adding one kind or more of boron or a compound thereof to the coke, graphitizing the resulting mixture and controlling the particle size of the product graphite. This graphite material for negative electrode is characterized by showing a tap density of 0.95 g/cm3 or more after tapping 20 times or 1.15 g/cm3 or more after tapping 300 times and a BET specific surface area of 1.5 m2/g or less. A lithium secondary battery made by the use of this graphite material for negative electrode has a large discharge capacity and suffers little loss during charging and discharging.

Abstract: An active material for a battery has a surface-treatment layer including a compound of the formula (1): MXOk??(1) wherein M is at least one element selected from an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group 13 element, a group 14 element, a transition metal, and a rare-earth element, X is an element capable of forming a double bond with oxygen, and k is a numerical value in the range of 2 to 4.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and materials for the manufacture of lithium ion rechargeable battery electrodes comprising fullerene compounds which have not been exposed to oxygen. Fullerene compounds are intercalated into carbonaceous materials to form electrodes having superior intercalation/deintercalation properties. Fullerene monomers, such as C60, C70, C74, C76, C78, C80, C84 and C80–100 and fluorinated derivatives thereof, are useful in the methods and materials of this invention. Materials incorporating C74 are particularly preferred. The invention also provides fullerene polymer materials useful for lithium ion electrodes with greatly improved electrochemical properties.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an cathode having an cathode mixture layer containing an cathode active material; an anode having an anode mixture layer containing an anode active material which includes a first active material and/or a second active material, where the first active material includes a metal, alloy or compound capable of react with lithium, and the second active material includes a carbonaceous material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. By allowing the anode to contain the first active material in a predetermined amount, and by controlling the packing ratio of the anode mixture layer, the anode is successfully prevented from being degraded due to expansion-and-shrinkage of the anode active material in response to the charge/discharge cycle, and thus degradation of the charge/discharge characteristics of the battery is suppressed.

Abstract: A negative electrode material and a battery which have an excellent cycle characteristic as well as a high capacity are provided. A positive electrode housed in an exterior can and a negative electrode housed in an exterior cup are laminated with a separator therebetween. An electrolytic solution of lithium salt dissolved in a solvent is poured into the inside of both the exterior can and the exterior cup. The negative electrode contains Mg2?xMIIxMI. MI expresses a first element such as Si, Sn, Ge, Pb, or the like. MII expresses a second element which is a metallic element, preferably Mn, Cu, Zn, or the like except both Mg and the first element. X is preferably in the range of 0.1?x?1.9. Substituting part of Mg by the second element MII can produce the distortion of the crystal structure, ease distortion accompanying the occluding/releasing lithium, and improve the charge and discharge efficiency and the cycle characteristic.

Abstract: In an electric double-layer capacitor, a solution of a quaternary ammonium borofluoride compound in propylene carbonate is used as an electrolyte. The electrode includes alkali-activated carbon made using meso-phase pitch as a starting material, and a conductive filler having a rest potential smaller than that of the alkali-activated carbon in the electrolyte. The amount Fc of conductive filler incorporated in the electrode is set in a range of 10% by weight?Fc?40% by weight. Such electric double-layer capacitor has a large electrostatic capacity and excellent durability.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The negative active material includes a core and a carbon shell formed around the core. The core includes a crystalline carbon, an amorphous carbon or a mixture thereof, and the carbon shell includes an amorphous carbon with a metal selected from a transition metal, a semi-metal, an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an anode capable of doping with and dedoping from lithium, a cathode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The anode includes a carbon material, a polymer material and an Sn-containing compound expressed by a below general formula (1) SnM1xM2yM3z??(1) (In the formula, M1 designates at least one kind of material selected from Co and Cu, and M2 designates at least one kind of material selected from Cr, Fe, Mn, Nb, Mo, W, B and P. M3 designates at least one kind of material selected from In, Ag, Zn and Al. x, y and z are respectively represented by 0.1<x?2, 0<y?2 and 0<z?1.).

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode (10) having a plurality of nanoparticles of lithium doped transition metal alloy oxides represented by the formula LixCoyNizO2, an anode (20) having at least one carbon nanotube array (22), an electrolyte, and a membrane (30) separating the anode from the cathode. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (23). Preferably, an average diameter of an outermost wall of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes is in the range from 10 to 100 nanometers, and a pitch between adjacent multi-walled carbon nanotubes is in the range from 20 to 500 nanometers. In the carbon nanotube array, the lithium ions are able to intercalate not only inside the multi-walled carbon nanotubes, but also in the interstices between adjacent multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Thus a density of intercalation of the carbon nanotube array is significantly higher than that of graphite.

Abstract: A secondary power source comprising a positive electrode made mainly of activated carbon, a negative electrode made mainly of a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions and an organic electrolyte containing a solute of a lithium salt, wherein the lithium salt comprises LiN(SO2Rf1) (SO2Rf2) wherein each of Rf1 and Rf2 which are independent of each other, is a C1-6 perfluoroalkyl group except Rf1?Rf2?CF3.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The electrolyte includes a lithium salt, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and a compound represented by Formula (1): wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, and aryl groups. The compound of the present invention is decomposed earlier than an electrolytic organic solvent, and an organic SEI film is formed on a negative electrode, thereby inhibiting the electrolytic organic solvent from decomposing.

Abstract: A negative electrode for use in secondary battery with nonaqueous electrolyte having a high voltage and energy density and a superior cycle property, characterized in that the active material comprises composite carbon materials containing massive ball-shaped graphite particles, carbon fibers, and graphite flakes. The massive ball-shaped graphite particles provide porosity to the composite, the carbon fibers improve packing density, conductivity, and stiffness to prevent the body made thereof from swelling and decomposing, and the graphite flakes reduce friction in the mixture. An aqueous, non-fluorine-containing binder is used, along with a titanium negative substrate.

Abstract: Multilayer articles, particularly multilayer articles having electrical or ionic conductivity, are made using an improved melt extrusion process. The process includes a combination step in which a macroscopically homogeneous mass is formed prior to introduction into an extruder. The multilayer article may include an electrode layer and a separator layer that are extruded onto a metal current collector. Such structures are particularly useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A graphite particle obtained by assembling or binding together a plurality of flat-shaped particles so that the planes of orientation are not parallel to one another, or a graphite particle in which aspect ratio is 5 or less or specific surface area is 8 m2/g or less or the size of crystallite in the direction of c-axis of the crystal is 500 ? or more and the size of crystallite in the direction of plane is 1,000 ? or less as measured by X ray broad angle diffraction, or a graphite particle in which pore volume of the pores having a size falling in a range of 102 to 106 ? is 0.4 to 2.0 cc/g per weight of graphite particle or pore volume of the pores having a size falling in a range of 1×102 to 2×104 ? is 0.08 to 0.4 cc/g per weight of graphite particle is suitable for production of negative electrode of lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery obtained therefrom is excellent in rapid charge-discharge characteristics, cycle characteristics, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary electrochemical cell comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising active materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound serving as the positive electrode or cathode and the second electrode comprising a carbon-carbon composite material infiltrated with polymeric binder and serving as the negative electrode or anode. Such an electrochemical cell has improved mechanical properties and cycle life as compared with similar secondary non-aqueous electrochemical cells having carbon-carbon composite anodes that are not incorporated with polymeric binder.

Abstract: A polymer gel electrolyte includes an electrolyte solution composed of a plasticizer with at least two carbonate structures on the molecule and an electrolyte salt, in combination with a matrix polymer. Secondary batteries made with the polymer gel electrolyte can operate at a high capacitance and a high current, have a broad service temperature range and a high level of safety, and are thus particularly well-suited for use in such applications as lithium secondary cells and lithium ion secondary cells. Electrical double-layer capacitors made with the polymer gel electrolyte have a high output voltage, a large output current, a broad service temperature range and excellent safety.

Abstract: A secondary battery is comprised of a positive electrode, a negative electrode formed from a lithium storage material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a lithium salt, non-aqueous aprotic solvent(s), such as ethylen carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethymethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate, and a small percentage of at least one organic additive. The negative electrode may comprise a carbon such as graphite, and the positive electrode may comprise a lithiated metal oxide or phosphate, such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4, LiFePO4, or mixtures thereof. The organic additives have one or more unsaturated bonds activated with respect to oxidation by electron-pushing alkyl groups. They are in most cases known to be able to undergo polymerization reactions, such as an anodically induced polymerization especially under certain conditions. The additives are oxidized at the cathode at a potential of more than 4.3 V vs. Li/Li+. With these additives in amounts of 0.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium ions, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt, wherein the negative electrode has a density of from 0.6 to 1.2 g/cm3.

Abstract: A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one phosphate additive having the formula: (R1O)P(?O) (OR2) (OR3) and wherein R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different, wherein at least one, but not all three, of the R groups is hydrogen, or at least one of the R groups has at least 3 carbon atoms and contains an sp or sp2 hybridized carbon atom bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom bonded to the phosphorous atom.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte having a lithium salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent characterized in that said non-aqueous solvent contains a vinylethylene carbonate compound represented by the general formula (I) in an amount of from 0.01 to 20% by weight is subject to minimized decomposition of the electrolyte and can provide a high capacity as well as exhibits excellent storage properties and cycle life performance. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material capable of being doped/undoped with lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains at least one of thiols, thiophenes, thioanisoles, thiazoles, thioacetates, aromatic sulfones, and the derivatives thereof. The capacity of the battery is not significantly degraded after cycling and its cycle life is significantly long.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an anode capable of doping with and dedoping from lithium, a cathode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The anode includes a carbon material, a polymer material and an Sn-containing compound expressed by a below general formula (1). SnM1xM2yM3z??(1) (In the formula, M1 designates at least one kind of material selected from Co and Cu, and M2 designates at least one kind of material selected from Cr, Fe, Mn, Nb, Mo, W, B and P. M3 designates at least one kind of material selected from In, Ag, Zn and Al. x, y, and z are respectively represented by 0.1<x?2, 0<y?2 and 0<z?1).

Abstract: There are disclosed a non-aqueous electrolyte which comprises a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt, and further contains a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein X represents —O—, —S—, —CO— or —SO2, Y represents a single bond, —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —CH?CH— or —CO— and R1 to R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, or a halogen group, provided that X and Y do not represent —CO— at the same time.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having positive and negative electrodes and non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium salt which has an energy capacity of 30 Wh or more, a volume energy density of 180 Wh/l or higher, which battery has a flat shape and is superior in heat radiation characteristic, used safely and particularly preferably used for a energy storage system. The invention also provides a control method of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A carbon anode active material for lithium secondary battery comprising a cluster or thin film layer of a metal or metal oxide coated onto the surface of the carbon active material, a preparation method thereof, and a metal-carbon hybrid electrode and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. The carbon active material is prepared through a gas suspension spray coating method. An electrode comprising the carbon active material according to the present invention shows excellent conductivity, high rate charge/discharge characteristics, cycle life characteristics and electrode capacity close to theoretical value.

Abstract: A positive active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a lithium-nickel composite oxide represented by the compositional formula LiaNi1?b?cCObMncO2 (a?1.09, 0.05?b?0.35, 0.15?c?0.35, and 0.25?b+c?0.55). By X-ray diffractometry with a CuK? ray, the lithium-nickel composite oxide exhibits an intensity ratio R ((I012+I006)/I101) of not greater than 0.50, wherein R is the ratio of the sum of the diffraction peak intensity I012 on the 012 plane and the diffraction peak intensity I006 on the 006 plane to the diffraction peak intensity I101 on the 101 plane. The crystallinity of the positive active material of the compositional formula LiaNi1?b?cCobMncO2 can be kept high and it is possible to secure good capacity density and cycle life performance.

Abstract: An anode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises graphite particles and a crystalline carbon coating layer formed thereon, wherein each graphite particle has a bent laminate structure inside, is produced by grinding a graphite of 5 mm or less in average particle diameter using an impact grinder to produce graphite particles of 100 ?m or less in average particle diameter having a bent laminate structure inside each particle and then subjecting the graphite particles to chemical vapor deposition in a fluidized bed type reaction furnace to form a crystalline carbon coating layer on the graphite particles.

Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery in which high energy density can be obtained and charging/discharging cycle characteristic can be improved. A positive electrode (13) and a negative electrode (15) are stacked with a separator (16) interposed therebetween, and are enclosed inside an exterior can (11) to which an electrolyte is injected. The negative electrode (15) contains a negative electrode material capable of occluding/releasing lithium in an ionic state. Thereby, lithium metal precipitates in the negative electrode (15) in a state where the open circuit voltage is lower than the overcharge voltage. In other words, lithium is occluded in an ionic state in a negative electrode material capable of occluding/releasing lithium in the beginning of charging, and then lithium metal precipitates on the surface of the negative electrode material thereafter during charging. The amount of precipitation of lithium metal is preferable to be from 0.05 to 3.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolytic solution for lithium secondary batteries. When the nonaqueous solvent comprises a combination of an ester of a tertiary carboxylic acid and a cyclic carbonate such as propylene carbonate or ethylene carbonate, a lithium salt having a fluorine atom is preferably used as the electrolyte salt. In this case, the ester of a tertiary carboxylic acid is preferably used in a relatively small amount, especially in an amount of about 0.5 to 35 wt. % based on the nonaqueous solvent.

Abstract: An active material for a battery is provided with a coating layer based on a conductive agent, or a coating layer based on a mixture of a conductive agent, and a conductive polymeric dispersant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a case having a wall thickness not larger than 0.3 mm, a positive electrode provided in the case, a negative electrode provided in the case and the negative electrode containing a carbonaceous material capable of absorbing-desorbing lithium ions, and a nonaqueous electrolyte provided in the case and the nonaqueous electrolyte containing a nonaqueous solvent including ?-butyrolactone and a solute dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent, wherein after being discharged to 3V with a current of 0.2 C at room temperature, the voltage reduction caused by the self-discharge at 60° C. is not larger than 1.5V in 3 weeks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new vanadium oxide hydrate composition suitable for use as electrode-active material in primary and secondary lithium and lithium ion batteries and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon material having a superior reversibility in lithium intercalation-deintercalation reaction, and a non-aqueous secondary battery using the carbon material as an active material for a negative electrode, which has a high energy density and an excellent rapid charging and discharging characteristics. Graphite powder having a maximum particle diameter of less than 100 &mgr;m and an existing reaction of rhombohedral structure in the crystalline structure of less than 20% is used as an active material for the negative electrode of the non-aqueous secondary battery. The graphite powder can be obtained by pulverizing raw graphite with a jet mill, and subsequently treating the powder at a temperature equal to or higher than 900°C.

Abstract: A secondary power source, which comprises a positive electrode containing activated carbon, a negative electrode containing Li4Ti5O12, and an organic electrolyte containing a lithium salt.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method for making the negative active material, and a rechargeable lithium battery including a carbonaceous material, which is capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium, and particles of a metal or a metal compound or mixtures thereof, distributed in the carbonaceous material, the metal or the metal compound being capable of forming an alloy with lithium during electrochemical charging and discharging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having at least a lithium-transition metal composite oxide of a layer structure, in which an existence ratio of at least one selected from the group consisting of elements which may become tetravalent and magnesium is 20% or more on a surface of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide. By use of this positive electrode active material, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent battery characteristics, specifically, having excellent high rate characteristics, cycle characteristics, low-temperature characteristics, thermal stability, and the like, under the even more harsh environment for use can be realized.

Abstract: Provided is a battery capable of preventing the entry of water even if a sealing width is reduced. A battery element comprising a cathode and an anode is accommodated in a film-shaped casing. The casing includes a metal layer, a resin layer disposed on a side of the metal layer closer to the battery element with an adhesive layer in between, and a resin layer disposed on a side of the metal layer opposite to the side where the resin layer is formed with an adhesive layer in between. The adhesive layer has a water vapor transmission rate of 800 g/m2·day or less for a thickness of 25 &mgr;m at 40° C. and 90% RH and a thickness of 10 &mgr;m or less. Thereby, even if the sealing width is reduced, the entry of water into the battery can be prevented.

Abstract: A composite gel-type polymer electrolyte membrane, as a separator between the positive and the negative electrode for secondary battery, consists of crosslinked gel-type polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrolytes, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymers and liquid electrolytes. The crosslinked gel-type PAN electrolytes are copolymerized by acrylonitrile (AN) monomers and crosslinked monomers with two terminal acrylic acid ester function groups. The PVdF can be PVdF-co-HFP polymers containing over 80% PVdF. The liquid electrolytes are made from using nonaqueous solvents to dissolve alkaline or alkaline earth metallic salts. This invention has advantages of superior ionic conductivities and mechanical strength at high temperature, fine compatible to positive and negative electrodes and potential to be industrialized.

Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.

Abstract: A gel electrolyte in which nonaqueous electrolyte solution obtained by dissolving electrolyte salt containing Li in a nonaqueous solvent is gelled by a matrix polymer including a copolymer as a main component which contains vinylidene fluoride as a monomer unit. The copolymer employed as the matrix polymer is carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride into which a structure formed by esterifying a part or all of a carboxyl group, a carboxylic acid or an acetic anhydride structure is introduced. The carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride can dissolve and retain therein a solvent of low viscosity having a low boiling point. Therefore, the carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride is used as a matrix polymer to improve the ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte at low temperature. Thus, a low temperature characteristic is improved and a cyclic characteristic and a load characteristic are also improved.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprises positive and negative electrode plates, each comprising a current collector and a material mixture layer carried on each face thereof. A total thickness of the positive electrode material mixture layers on both faces of the current collector is 40 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m. The positive electrode plate has an electrode area of 520 cm2 to 800 cm2 per battery capacity of 1 Ah. The negative electrode material mixture layer comprises a graphitizable carbon material. A wide-range X-ray diffraction pattern of the graphitizable carbon material has a peak PX (101) attributed to a (101) crystal face at about 2&thgr;=44 degrees, and a peak PX (100) attributed to a (100) crystal face at about 2&thgr;=42 degrees. A ratio of an intensity IX (101) of PX (101) to an intensity IX (100) of PX(100) satisfies: 0<IX (101)/IX (100)<1.

Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The negative active material includes a core and a carbon shell formed around the core. The core includes a crystalline carbon, an amorphous carbon or a mixture thereof, and the carbon shell includes an amorphous carbon with a metal selected from a transition metal, a semi-metal, an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal.