Method for manufacturing graphene-coated object, negative electrode of secondary battery including graphene-coated object, and secondary battery including the negative electrode

Abstract

To form graphene to a practically even thickness on an object having an uneven surface or a complex surface, in particular, an object having a surface with a three-dimensional structure due to complex unevenness, or an object having a curved surface. The object and an electrode are immersed in a graphene oxide solution, and voltage is applied between the object and the electrode. At this time, the object serves as an anode. Graphene oxide is attracted to the anode because of being negatively charged, and deposited on the surface of the object to have a practically even thickness. A portion where graphene oxide is deposited is unlikely coated with another graphene oxide. Thus, deposited graphene oxide is reduced to graphene, whereby graphene can be formed to have a practically even thickness on an object having surface with complex unevenness.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electrode of a battery, comprising: preparing an object having an uneven surface, the object comprising an oxide of silicon at an upper surface of the object, wherein the uneven surface comprises a plurality of projections, wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of projections is 50 nm to 10 μm inclusive, and wherein a length along an axis of each of the plurality of projections is 0.5 μm to 1000 μm inclusive; immersing an electrode and the object in a solution including graphene oxide; applying bias voltage to the electrode and the object so that the graphene oxide having a substantially even thickness is deposited to entirely cover the uneven surface of the object; and heating the graphene oxide deposited on the uneven surface of the object in a vacuum or a reducing atmosphere to reduce the graphene oxide to form a carbon-based material comprising graphene, wherein deposition of the graphene oxide does not proceed in a part of the uneven surface which is negatively charged by another graphene oxide, wherein a thickness of the carbon-based material is 2 nm or less, and wherein the carbon-based material continuously extends over the plurality of projections.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections of the object has a whisker-like shape.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the graphene contains an element other than carbon at 30 at. % or less.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object is an electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object comprises a titanium sheet provided with a plurality of silicon whiskers.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the object comprises a titanium sheet provided with a plurality of silicon whiskers, wherein one of the plurality of silicon whiskers comprises a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises crystalline silicon, and wherein the shell comprises amorphous silicon.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of projections is 500 nm to 3 μm inclusive, and wherein the length along the axis of each of the plurality of projections is 1 μm to 100 μm inclusive.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein shapes of the plurality of projections are different from each other.

9. A method for manufacturing an electrode of a battery comprising: immersing an electrode and an object in a solution including graphene oxide, the object comprising an oxide of silicon at an upper surface thereof; applying bias voltage to the electrode and the object so that the graphene oxide is deposited on the object; and heating the graphene oxide deposited on the object in a vacuum or a reducing atmosphere to reduce the graphene oxide to form a carbon-based material comprising graphene, wherein a thickness of the carbon based material is 2 nm or less, wherein the object includes at least a first projection and a second projection, and wherein the carbon-based material continuously extends over the first projection, the second projection and a region between the first projection and the second projection.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a length of one side of the graphene oxide is 10 μm or less.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the oxide of silicon is a natural oxide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) In the accompanying drawings:

(2) FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate a formation method of graphene of one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus used in one embodiment;

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B are top SEM images of silicon whiskers;

(5) FIG. 4A is a top SEM image of silicon whiskers and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional SEM image of a silicon whisker;

(6) FIG. 5 shows results of CV measurement;

(7) FIGS. 6A and 6B show cycle characteristics of batteries;

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional TEM images of silicon whiskers and graphene coating the silicon whiskers;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of a coin secondary battery;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates examples of electric appliances;

(11) FIGS. 10A and 10B are profiles each showing Raman spectroscopy measurement results of silicon whiskers;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an electrode of one embodiment of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates an electrode of one embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a battery of one embodiment of the present invention;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates a forming apparatus used in one embodiment;

(16) FIGS. 15A and 15B show a film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention;

(18) FIG. 17 shows a film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention;

(19) FIG. 18 shows cycle characteristics of a battery containing a film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention;

(20) FIG. 19 shows cycle characteristics of a battery containing an aqueous solution in which graphene oxide is dispersed; and

(21) FIG. 20 shows a silicon whisker of one embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(22) Embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments and examples can be implemented in various modes. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the modes and details can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the following description of the embodiments and examples.

Embodiment 1

(23) In this embodiment, a method for forming graphene on a surface of an object will be described. Graphene oxide is obtained in such a manner that graphite is oxidized to form graphite oxide and the graphite oxide is subjected to ultrasonic vibrations. For the details, refer to Patent Document 3. Alternatively, commercially available graphene oxide may be used.

(24) Graphene oxide is dispersed in a solvent such as water, chloroform, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), or N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The solvent is preferably a polar solvent. Graphene oxide may have a concentration of 0.1 g to 10 g per liter.

(25) FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus used in this embodiment. A solution 201, in which graphene oxide is dispersed, is put in a container 200, and an object 202, on which graphene is to be deposited, is put therein and is used as an anode. In addition, a conductor 203 serving as a cathode is put in the solution, and electrodeposition using electrophoresis/electrophretic deposition is performed with an appropriate voltage (e.g., 5 V to 20 V) applied between the anode and the cathode (such an electrodeposition/a deposition method is hereinafter referred to as an electrophoresis method). Note that the voltage does not necessarily have to be constant. By measuring the amount of charge flowing between the anode and the cathode, the thickness of graphene oxide deposited on the object can be estimated. The deposition of graphene oxide on the anode stops when the anode is entirely coated. Thus, when the time needed for entirely coating the anode with graphene oxide is determined in advance, entire coating can be completed in the shortest time.

(26) When the deposition of graphene oxide is completed, the object is taken out of the solution and dried. Further, the object is heated at 150° C. or higher, preferably 200° C. or higher in a vacuum or in a reducing atmosphere such as an inert gas (nitrogen, a rare gas, or the like) atmosphere. When the heating temperature is higher and the heating time is longer, graphene oxide is reduced to a higher extent, so that graphene with higher purity (i.e., with a lower concentration of elements other than carbon) can be obtained. Note that graphene oxide is known to be reduced at a heating temperature of 100° C. or higher. Although a higher heating temperature is preferable, the heating temperature should be determined in consideration of the reactivity with the object.

(27) Note that it is preferable to perform the heating treatment at a high temperature in order to obtain graphene having high electron conductivity. For example, when graphene oxide on a glass substrate is heated to be reduced to graphene, the resistivity of multilayer graphene is about 240 MΩcm at a heating temperature of 100° C. (1 hour); however, the resistivity is 4 kΩcm at a heating temperature of 200° C. (1 hour) and 2.8 Ωcm at a heating temperature of 300° C. (1 hour) (each resistivity is the average value of eight samples).

(28) In the aforementioned manner, the graphene oxide formed on a surface of the object is reduced to be graphene. At this time, graphene and the adjacent graphene are bonded to each other to form a huge sheet-like or net-like network (such a network is hereinafter referred to as a graphene net) as a whole. Even in the case where the object has depressions and projections, the graphene formed in such a manner has a substantially even thickness also on the depressions and the projections. The same applies to the case where the object has a curved surface.

Embodiment 2

(29) In this embodiment, an electrode including a film-like carbon-based material will be described.

(30) As illustrated in FIG. 11, an electrode includes a current collector 1100 and a film-like carbon-like material 1102. The film-like carbon-based material 1102 may be provided over the current collector 1100 and is preferably supported so as to have a large surface area. For example, the film-like carbon-based material 1102 is supported by a plurality of projections 1101 (respectively referred to as 1101a to 1101e) on the current collector 1100. In other words, the film-like carbon-based material 1102 can be provided over the plurality of projections 1101.

(31) The film-like carbon-based material 1102 includes 1 sheet or more and 1000 sheets or less, preferably 100 sheets or more and 300 sheets or less of graphene 1104. The graphene net is different from graphite in any of the following.

(32) Van der Waals force forms a bond in the stacking direction (z-axis direction).

(33) The number of stacked sheets is large.

(34) The edges of the sheets are not aligned.

(35) The number of ring members of carbon which consist one sheet is large, e.g., 9 or more; thus, a gap is large.

(36) The graphene net having any of the above features can increase the occlusion rate of lithium ions. Further, the graphene net has a film shape and thus is advantageous in occlusion and release of lithium ions.

(37) The thickness of two to three sheets of the film-like carbon-based material is 1 nm to 2 nm. The film-like carbon-based material may be either amorphous or crystalline.

(38) The film-like carbon-based material has conductivity. The film-like carbon-based material can be used as a conductive additive in a negative electrode. The film-like carbon-based material is effective as the conductive additive because of its large surface area.

(39) The film-like carbon-based material can be used as an active material of a negative electrode. The film-like carbon-based material occludes lithium. The number of sheets of graphene is 1 to 1000 inclusive, preferably 100 to 300 inclusive. This is because as the number of sheets of graphene is increased, lithium can be occluded more efficiently.

(40) The film-like carbon-based material can construct a conductive network by itself in contrast to a spherical carbon-based material. The film-like carbon-based material also serves as a binder and/or a conductive additive, so that it is possible to reduce or omit addition of a binder and/or a conductive additive. Accordingly, the amount of the active material can be increased.

(41) The film-like carbon-based material may be provided so as to cover surfaces of the plurality of projections 1101, that is, may be provided along the plurality of projections 1101a to 1101e. The film-like carbon-based material may be provided without a gap between the adjacent projections. For example, the film-like carbon-based material is provided without a gap between the projection 1101a and the projection 1101b. The amount of graphene can be increased.

(42) To provide the film-like carbon-based material over the plurality of projections 1101, the electrophoresis method is used. In the method, an aqueous solution in which graphene oxide is dispersed is used and voltage is applied for a certain period of time. Forming conditions and the like will be described in examples below.

(43) Alternatively, an immersion method may be employed to provide the film-like carbon-based material over the plurality of projections 1101, as a method different from an electrophoresis method. In an immersion method, a current collector provided with a plurality of projections is immersed in an aqueous solution in which graphene oxide is dispersed, without voltage application. In the case of employing this method, a gap is provided between the film-like carbon-based material and the plurality of projections 1101 in some cases.

(44) The plurality of projections 1101 can be formed on a surface of the current collector 1100. Alternatively, the plurality of projections 1101 can be formed by partly removing a surface of the current collector 1100.

(45) The diameter of each of the plurality of projections 1101a to 1101e is 50 nm to 10 μm inclusive, preferably 500 nm to 3 μm inclusive. The length along the axis of the projection is 0.5 μm to 1000 μm inclusive, preferably 1 μm to 100 μm inclusive. The length is 2 to 10000 times, preferably 10 to 100 times as long as the diameter. The shapes of the projections are referred to as columnar shapes. Side surfaces of the projections are preferably rounded. The shapes of such projections are referred to as cylinder shapes. Further, the tips of the projections are preferably rounded. The rounded tips prevent the film-like carbon-based material from being cracked or damaged. The projections may have spherical or semispherical (dome-like) shapes.

(46) The plurality of projections may have whisker-like shapes. In this case, the shapes of the plurality of projections are different from each other. Whisker-like projections are difficult to be formed perpendicularly to the current collector because they are long. The whisker-like projections may be bended or inclined. The whisker-like projections close to each other may be entangled with each other or may be linked with each other. One of the whisker-like projections may curl up into a ring-like shape.

(47) For the whisker-like projections, silicon whiskers can be used. The plurality of projections are not limited to silicon whiskers; they may be either amorphous or crystalline. When the plurality of projections are amorphous, they are less likely to break as compared to the case where they are crystalline. When the plurality of projections are silicon whiskers, they are preferably crystalline in core portions and amorphous around the core portions. In that case, the plurality of projections can have an advantage of being unlikely to break in addition to a certain degree of strength.

(48) In a negative electrode including silicon whiskers and the film-like carbon-based material, each of the silicon whiskers and the film-like carbon-based material can serve as an active material. Thus, the negative electrode can have both a lithium-occluding property of silicon and a lithium-occluding property of carbon. In other words, the negative electrode can have excellent lithium-occluding ability attributed to both the lithium-occluding ability of silicon and the lithium-occluding ability of carbon.

(49) The shapes and the arrangement of the plurality of projections 1101a to 1101e are not particularly limited as long as they can support the film-like carbon-based material. Even one projection can support the film-like carbon-based material. The film-like carbon-based material supported by one projection hangs down toward the current collector. The film-like carbon-based material provided to hang down toward the current collector can have a larger surface area.

(50) As described above, a long projection may possibly break. Occlusion of lithium in the projection increases a possibility of breakage. The film-like carbon-based material can prevent the projection from breaking.

(51) The use of such a film-like carbon-based material for a negative electrode of a secondary battery is advantageous in occlusion and release of lithium ions as compared to the case of using a spherical carbon-based material. Further, when 2 sheets or more and 1000 sheets or less, preferably 100 sheets or more and 300 sheets or less of graphene is used, lithium is occluded in a gap between the sheets, so that lithium can be occluded more efficiently as compared to the case of using a spherical active material.

Embodiment 3

(52) In this embodiment, a structure where a carbon-based material is provided around the plurality of projections 1101 will be described.

(53) As illustrated in FIG. 12, a carbon-based material 1103 is provided to coat the plurality of projections 1101. The carbon-based material 1103 includes 1 sheet or more and 1000 sheets or less, preferably 100 sheets or more and 300 sheets or less of the graphene 1104. When two to three sheets of graphene are stacked, the thickness of the carbon-based material is 1 nm to 2 nm. The film-like carbon-based material may be either amorphous or crystalline.

(54) Embodiment 2 can be referred to for the structure of the other components, and the film-like carbon-based material 1102 can be provided.

(55) The carbon-based material has conductivity. Therefore, it can be used as a conductive additive in a negative electrode. It is advantageous to provide the film-like carbon-based material 1102 described in Embodiment 2 along with the carbon-based material 1103 because the plurality of carbon-based materials favorably function as conductive additives.

(56) Alternatively, the carbon-based material may be used as an active material. When the film-like carbon-based material 1102 described in Embodiment 2 is provided, both the film-like carbon-based material 1102 and the carbon-based material 1103 can be used as active materials. Alternatively, the carbon-based material 1103 and the film-like carbon-based material 1102 may be used as an active material and a conductive additive, respectively. In either case, the plurality of carbon based materials provided improve the function of an electrode.

Embodiment 4

(57) In this embodiment, a laminated secondary battery having a negative electrode of one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(58) FIG. 13A is a plan view of a laminated secondary battery 1301, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view along dashed dotted line A-B in FIG. 13A. The laminated secondary battery 1301 illustrated in FIG. 13A includes a power storage cell 1305 in an exterior member 1303. The laminated secondary battery 1301 further includes a terminal portion 1307 and a terminal portion 1309, which are connected to the power storage cell 1305. For the exterior member 1303, a laminate film, a polymer film, a metal film, a metal case, a plastic case, or the like can be used.

(59) As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the power storage cell 1305 includes a negative electrode 1313, a positive electrode 1315, a separator 1317, and an electrolyte solution 1319. The separator 1317 is provided between the negative electrode 1313 and the positive electrode 1315. The exterior member 1303 is filled with the electrolyte solution 1319.

(60) The negative electrode 1313 is formed according to the above embodiment and includes at least a negative electrode current collector 1321 and a negative electrode active material layer 1323. The positive electrode 1315 includes at least a positive electrode current collector 1325 and a positive electrode active material layer 1327. The negative electrode active material layer 1323 can be provided on one surface or opposite surfaces of the negative electrode current collector 1321. In other words, the film-like carbon-based material may be formed on either one surface or opposite surfaces of the negative electrode current collector 1321. The positive electrode active material layer 1327 is provided on one surface or opposite surfaces of the positive electrode current collector 1325.

(61) The negative electrode current collector 1321 is connected to the terminal portion 1309. The positive electrode current collector 1325 is connected to the terminal portion 1307. Further, the terminal portions 1307 and 1309 each partly extend outside the exterior member 1303.

(62) Note that although a sealed thin secondary battery is described as the laminated secondary battery 1301 in this embodiment, the external shape of the secondary battery is not limited thereto and can be any of a variety of shapes such as a button shape, a cylindrical shape, or a rectangular shape. Further, although the structure where the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are stacked is described in this example, a structure where the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are rolled may be employed.

(63) As a material of the positive electrode current collector 1325, aluminum, stainless steel, or the like is used. The shape of the positive electrode current collector 1325 can be a foil shape, a plate shape, a net shape, or the like.

(64) The positive electrode active material layer 1327 can be formed using any of LiFeO.sub.2, LiCoO.sub.2, LiNiO.sub.2, LiMn.sub.2O.sub.4, LiFePO.sub.4, LiCoPO.sub.4, LiNiPO.sub.4, LiMnPO.sub.4, V.sub.2O.sub.5, Cr.sub.2O.sub.5, MnO.sub.2, and other lithium compounds as a material. Note that when carrier ions are alkali metal ions other than lithium ions, alkaline earth metal ions, beryllium ions, or magnesium ions, the positive electrode active material layer 1327 can be formed using, instead of lithium in the above lithium compounds, an alkali metal (e.g., sodium or potassium), an alkaline earth metal (e.g., calcium, strontium, or barium), beryllium, or magnesium.

(65) As a solute of the electrolyte solution 1319, a material containing lithium ions, i.e., carrier ions, is used. Examples of the solute of the electrolyte solution 1319 include lithium salts such as LiClO.sub.4, LiAsF.sub.6, LiBF.sub.4, LiPF.sub.6, and Li(C.sub.2F.sub.5SO.sub.2).sub.2N. Note that when carrier ions are alkali metal ions other than lithium ions or alkaline earth metal ions, alkali metal salt (e.g., sodium salt or potassium salt), alkaline earth metal salt (e.g., calcium salt, strontium salt or barium salt), beryllium salt, magnesium salt, or the like can be used as the solute of the electrolyte solution 1319.

(66) As the solvent of the electrolyte solution 1319, a material in which lithium ions can transfer is used. As the solvent of the electrolyte solution 1319, an aprotic organic solvent is preferably used. Examples of the aprotic organic solvent include ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, γ-butyrolactone, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, and the like, and one or more of these materials can be used. When a gelled high-molecular material is used as the solvent of the electrolyte solution 1319, safety against liquid leakage and the like is improved and the secondary battery 1301 can be thinner and more lightweight. Examples of the gelled high-molecular material include a silicon gel, an acrylic gel, an acrylonitrile gel, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, and a fluorine-based polymer.

(67) As the electrolyte solution 1319, a solid electrolyte such as Li.sub.3PO.sub.4 can be used.

(68) As the separator 1317, an insulating porous material is used. Examples of the separator 1317 include cellulose (paper), polyethylene, and polypropylene.

(69) The use of the film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention as an electrode material of a negative electrode can improve lithium occlusion efficiency of a secondary battery.

Embodiment 5

(70) As an example of a secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention, a coin secondary battery will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

(71) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the coin secondary battery includes a negative electrode 804, a positive electrode 832, a separator 810, an electrolyte solution (not illustrated), a housing 806, and a housing 844. Besides, the coin secondary battery includes a ring-shaped insulator 820, a spacer 840, and a washer 842.

(72) The negative electrode 804 includes a negative electrode active material layer 802 over a negative electrode current collector 800. For the negative electrode active material layer 802, silicon having whisker-like structure bodies whose surfaces are coated with graphene sufficiently and evenly is used. Specifically, when the film-like carbon-based material of one embodiment of the present invention is used as an electrode material of the negative electrode, lithium occlusion efficiency of the secondary battery can be improved. As the negative electrode current collector 800, copper may be used, for example.

(73) As a material of a positive electrode current collector 828, aluminum is preferably used. A positive electrode active material layer 830 may be formed in such a manner that slurry in which positive electrode active material particles, a binder, and a conductive additive are mixed is applied on the positive electrode current collector 828 and is dried.

(74) As the positive electrode active material, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese phosphate, lithium manganese silicate, lithium iron silicate, or the like can be used; however, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The size of the active material particle is preferably 20 nm to 100 nm. Further, a carbohydrate such as glucose may be mixed at the time of baking of the positive electrode active material particles so that the positive electrode active material particles are coated with carbon. This treatment can improve the conductivity.

(75) The electrolyte solution in which LiPF.sub.6 is dissolved in a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) is preferably used; however, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

(76) An insulator with pores (e.g., polypropylene) may be used for the separator 810. Alternatively, a solid electrolyte which can transmit lithium ions may be used.

(77) The housing 806, the housing 844, the spacer 840, and the washer 842 each of which is made of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) are preferably used. The housing 806 and the housing 844 have a function of electrically connecting the negative electrode 804 and the positive electrode 832 to the outside.

(78) The negative electrode 804, the positive electrode 832, and the separator 810 are immersed in the electrolyte solution. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the negative electrode 804, the separator 810, the ring-shaped insulator 820, the positive electrode 832, the spacer 840, the washer 842, and the housing 844 are stacked in this order with the housing 806 positioned at the bottom, and the housing 806 and the housing 844 are subjected to pressure bonding. In such a manner, the coin secondary battery is manufactured.

(79) This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with any of the other embodiments.

Embodiment 6

(80) The secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for power supplies of a variety of electric appliances which can be operated with power.

(81) Specific examples of electric appliances each utilizing the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention are as follows: display devices, lighting devices, desktop personal computers and laptop personal computers, image reproduction devices which reproduce still images and moving images stored in recording media such as digital versatile discs (DVDs), mobile phones, portable game machines, portable information terminals, e-book readers, video cameras, digital still cameras, high-frequency heating appliances such as microwave ovens, electric rice cookers, electric washing machines, air-conditioning systems such as air conditioners, electric refrigerators, electric freezers, electric refrigerator-freezers, freezers for preserving DNA, and dialyzers. In addition, moving objects driven by electric motors using power from secondary batteries are also included in the category of electric appliances. Examples of the moving objects include electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles each including both an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, and motorized bicycles including motor-assisted bicycles.

(82) In the electric appliances, the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used as a secondary battery for supplying enough power for almost the whole power consumption (referred to as a main power supply). Alternatively, in the electric appliances, the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used as a secondary battery which can supply power to the electric appliances when the supply of power from the main power supply or a commercial power supply is stopped (such a secondary battery is referred to as an uninterruptible power supply). Still alternatively, in the electric appliances, the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used as a secondary battery for supplying power to the electric appliances at the same time as the power supply from the main power supply or a commercial power supply (such a secondary battery is referred to as an auxiliary power supply).

(83) FIG. 9 illustrates specific structures of the electric appliances. In FIG. 9, a display device 5000 is an example of an electric appliance including a secondary battery 5004 of one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the display device 5000 corresponds to a display device for TV broadcast reception and includes a housing 5001, a display portion 5002, speaker portions 5003, and the secondary battery 5004. The secondary battery 5004 of one embodiment of the present invention is provided in the housing 5001. The display device 5000 can receive power from a commercial power supply. Alternatively, the display device 5000 can use power stored in the secondary battery 5004. Thus, the display device 5000 can be operated with the use of the secondary battery 5004 of one embodiment of the present invention as an uninterruptible power supply even when power cannot be supplied from a commercial power supply due to power failure or the like.

(84) A semiconductor display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device in which a light-emitting element such as an organic EL element is provided in each pixel, an electrophoresis display device, a digital micromirror device (DMD), a plasma display panel (PDP), or a field emission display (FED) can be used for the display portion 5002.

(85) Note that the display device includes, in its category, all of information display devices for personal computers, advertisement displays, and the like besides TV broadcast reception.

(86) In FIG. 9, an installation lighting device 5100 is an example of an electric appliance including a secondary battery 5103 of one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the lighting device 5100 includes a housing 5101, a light source 5102, and a secondary battery 5103. Although FIG. 9 illustrates the case where the secondary battery 5103 is provided in a ceiling 5104 on which the housing 5101 and the light source 5102 are installed, the secondary battery 5103 may be provided in the housing 5101. The lighting device 5100 can receive power from a commercial power supply. Alternatively, the lighting device 5100 can use power stored in the secondary battery 5103. Thus, the lighting device 5100 can be operated with the use of the secondary battery 5103 of one embodiment of the present invention as an uninterruptible power supply even when power cannot be supplied from a commercial power supply due to power failure or the like.

(87) Note that although the installation lighting device 5100 provided in the ceiling 5104 is illustrated in FIG. 9 as an example, the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used in an installation lighting device provided in, for example, a wall 5105, a floor 5106, a window 5107, or the like other than the ceiling 5104. Alternatively, the secondary battery can be used in a tabletop lighting device or the like.

(88) As the light source 5102, an artificial light source which emits light artificially by using power can be used. Specifically, discharge lamps such as an incandescent lamp and a fluorescent lamp, and light-emitting elements such as an LED and an organic EL element are given as examples of the artificial light source.

(89) In FIG. 9, an air conditioner including an indoor unit 5200 and an outdoor unit 5204 is an example of an electric appliance including a secondary battery 5203 of one embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the indoor unit 5200 includes a housing 5201, an air outlet 5202, and a secondary battery 5203. Although FIG. 9 illustrates the case where the secondary battery 5203 is provided in the indoor unit 5200, the secondary battery 5203 may be provided in the outdoor unit 5204. Alternatively, the secondary batteries 5203 may be provided in both the indoor unit 5200 and the outdoor unit 5204. The air conditioner can receive power from a commercial power supply. Alternatively, the air conditioner can use power stored in the secondary battery 5203. Particularly in the case where the secondary batteries 5203 are provided in both the indoor unit 5200 and the outdoor unit 5204, the air conditioner can be operated with the use of the secondary battery 5203 of one embodiment of the present invention as an uninterruptible power supply even when power cannot be supplied from a commercial power supply due to power failure or the like.

(90) Note that although the split-type air conditioner including the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is illustrated in FIG. 9 as an example, the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention can be used in an air conditioner in which the functions of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are integrated in one housing.

(91) In FIG. 9, an electric refrigerator-freezer 5300 is an example of an electric appliance including a secondary battery 5304 of one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the electric refrigerator-freezer 5300 includes a housing 5301, a door for a refrigerator 5302, a door for a freezer 5303, and the secondary battery 5304. The secondary battery 5304 is provided in the housing 5301 in FIG. 9. The electric refrigerator-freezer 5300 can receive power from a commercial power supply. Alternatively, the electric refrigerator-freezer 5300 can use power stored in the secondary battery 5304. Thus, the electric refrigerator-freezer 5300 can be operated with the use of the secondary battery 5304 of one embodiment of the present invention as an uninterruptible power supply even when power cannot be supplied from a commercial power supply due to power failure or the like.

(92) Note that among the electric appliances described above, a high-frequency heating apparatus such as a microwave oven and an electric appliance such as an electric rice cooker require high power in a short time. The tripping of a breaker of a commercial power supply in use of an electric appliance can be prevented by using the secondary battery of one embodiment of the present invention as an auxiliary power supply for supplying power which cannot be supplied enough by a commercial power supply.

(93) In addition, in a time period when electric appliances are not used, particularly when the proportion of the amount of power which is actually used to the total amount of power which can be supplied from a commercial power supply source (such a proportion referred to as a usage rate of power) is low, power can be stored in the secondary battery, whereby the usage rate of power can be reduced in a time period when the electric appliances are used. For example, in the case of the electric refrigerator-freezer 5300, power can be stored in the secondary battery 5304 in night time when the temperature is low and the door for a refrigerator 5302 and the door for a freezer 5303 are not often opened or closed. On the other hand, in daytime when the temperature is high and the door for a refrigerator 5302 and the door for a freezer 5303 are frequently opened and closed, the secondary battery 5304 is used as an auxiliary power supply; thus, the usage rate of power in daytime can be reduced.

(94) This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with any of the above embodiments.

Example 1

(95) In this example, a sample (hereinafter referred to as Sample A) obtained by forming graphene on a surface of whisker-like silicon by the electrophoresis method described in Embodiment 1 will be described. A plurality of pieces of whisker-like silicon 300 described in this example are formed on a titanium sheet, and have columnar shapes extending in various directions, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. Thus, the surface of the sample on which graphene is formed has a complex three-dimensional structure attributed to many pieces of the whisker-like silicon 300.

(96) An aqueous solution in which graphene oxide was dispersed was formed as follows. Potassium permanganate was added to a mixture of graphite (flake carbon) and concentrated sulfuric acid, followed by stirring for 2 hours. After that, pure water was added, the obtained mixture was stirred for 15 minutes while being heated, and a hydrogen peroxide solution was added thereto, so that a yellow-brown solution containing graphite oxide was obtained. The obtained solution was filtered, and hydrochloric acid was added to a precipitate to wash the precipitate, followed by washing with pure water. Then, ultrasonic treatment was performed for 2 hours so that the graphite oxide was separated into graphene oxide, and an aqueous solution in which graphene oxide was dispersed was obtained.

(97) The titanium sheet with the whisker-like silicon was immersed in the aqueous solution as an electrode, and a stainless steel plate was immersed therein as another electrode. Here, the distance between the titanium sheet and the stainless steel plate was 1 cm. Then, with the titanium sheet and the stainless steel plate used as an anode and a cathode respectively, a voltage of 10 V was applied between the anode and the cathode for 30 seconds. The amount of charge flowing during the 30 seconds was 0.089 C. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the apparatus.

(98) After that, the titanium sheet was taken out of the aqueous solution, dried, and then heated at 300° C. in a vacuum (0.1 Pa or less) for 10 hours. In such a manner, Sample A was formed. FIG. 3B shows an observed surface of the obtained whisker-like silicon. Apparently, there seems to be no differences between the state before formation of graphene in FIG. 3A and the state in FIG. 3B; however, FIG. 3B shows that surfaces of whiskers have black portions in patches like a mottled pattern. These black portions are probably thick because the number of graphene sheets stacked in multilayer graphene is large. Note that this difference in number of stacked graphene sheets does not influence practical evenness. Further, it is observed in a center portion of the photograph that a thread-like or film-like object is formed, so as to link whiskers.

(99) Peaks of a D band and a G band, which are characteristics of graphene, were seen in any portion of the whiskers in measurement by Raman spectroscopy. The results suggest that substantially the entire surfaces of the whiskers were coated with graphene. FIG. 10A shows results obtained by carrying out measurement on whisker-like silicon not coated with graphene by Raman spectroscopy. In contrast, FIG. 10B shows results obtained by carrying out measurement on whisker-like silicon coated with graphene by Raman spectroscopy. In FIG. 10B, peaks which are not seen in FIG. 10A are seen at around 1340 cm.sup.−3 and 1580 cm.sup.−3. The peak at around 1340 cm.sup.−3 is derived from the D band and indicates that graphene includes defects or impurities. The peak at around 1580 cm.sup.3 is derived from the G band.

(100) FIGS. 7A and 7B are photographs showing a cross section of a whisker coated with graphene. FIG. 7A shows a transverse cross section of the cylindrical whisker observed with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). A circle-like portion is a whisker 700 formed of silicon, and extremely thin graphene is formed around the whisker 700. Further, for the sake of observation, a deposited carbon film 701 is provided thick on an outermost surface. FIG. 7B is a magnified photograph of part of FIG. 7A. In FIG. 7B, part of the whisker 700 is shown on the left side, and extremely thin graphene 702 is formed on an end portion of the whisker 700. The thickness of the graphene 702 is approximately 1 nm to 2 nm, which is equivalent to 2 sheets to 3 sheets of single-layer graphene. Note that in the sample observed, a natural oxide film 703 is formed between the whisker-like silicon and the graphene. FIG. 7B indicates that even when the natural oxide film 703, which is nonconductive, is provided on silicon, graphene can be formed sufficiently by an electrophoresis method.

(101) In the whisker shown in FIG. 7A, a center portion 704, the core in the transverse cross section, is formed of crystalline silicon (crystal silicon). On the other hand, an outer shell portion 705 coating the periphery of the center portion 704 thick is formed of amorphous silicon. The contrast in the TEM image allows discrimination between the crystalline silicon and the amorphous silicon. In the case where the structure of this example is applied to an electrode of a secondary battery, the volume is unlikely to be changed due to occlusion and release of ions of lithium or the like serving as carriers and thus the electrode is not easily destroyed as compared to the case where a whisker which is wholly crystalline is used. Particularly because amorphous silicon occludes carriers more easily than crystalline silicon, forming the outer shell portion 705 thick leads to an increase in capacity of a secondary battery.

(102) In a comparative example (Sample B), graphene was formed on a surface of whisker-like silicon by a coating method. In the case of Sample B, a titanium sheet with the whisker-like silicon was immersed in an aqueous solution where graphene oxide was dispersed which is similar to the aqueous solution used for forming Sample A, and then the titanium sheet was taken out of the aqueous solution. After that, Sample B was dried and heated under the conditions the same as those of Sample A. Through this heating step, graphene oxide was reduced to graphene.

(103) FIG. 4A shows the state of a surface of Sample B. It can be observed in FIG. 4A that film-like graphene is formed, so as to link projections of whisker-like silicon. However, the state of whisker-like silicon under the film-like graphene cannot be seen due to the film-like graphene. The film-like graphene is only partly formed on part of the whisker-like silicon, which suggests that the thickness of graphene varies significantly in one sample.

(104) When a cross section is observed to check the state of a depression in FIG. 4A, it is observed in FIG. 4B that there is a gap 402 between a film-like layer 400 containing graphene and a concave surface. Further, according to FIG. 4B, graphene is not formed on part of a surface of a whisker-like silicon 401 which is in contact with this gap. Note that for observation of the sample, a deposited carbon film was formed on the graphene; thus, it is necessary to keep in mind that the deposited carbon film is provided on graphene in FIG. 4B.

(105) As described above, it was difficult to form graphene so as to sufficiently coat a surface of an object having a complex shape or structure by a coating method. Further, the thicknesses of graphene significantly varied between the samples and in the same sample; thus, it was also difficult to control the thickness of graphene.

(106) In contrast, when an electropheresis method was employed, a portion where graphene oxide is deposited is unlikely to be coated with another graphene oxide, so that an even film of graphene oxide was able to be formed with significantly high reproducibility. This result reveals that the electrophoresis method described in Embodiment 1 enables formation of graphene with extremely high evenness and reliability as compared to a coating method.

Example 2

(107) In this example, comparison is made between the case where whisker-like silicon whose surface was provided with graphene was used for a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery and the case where whisker-like silicon whose surface was not provided with anything was used for a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery. It is known that an electrolyte solution used in the lithium-ion secondary battery reacts with an electrode (in particular, a negative electrode), so that a compound film obtained by decomposing the electrolyte solution is formed on a surface of the electrode.

(108) Such a compound film is referred to as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and is considered necessary for stabilization with a suppressed reaction between an electrode and an electrolyte. However, the thickness depends on a combination of the electrode and the electrolyte and thus may become larger than necessary.

(109) Examples of adverse effects due to SEI formation include a decrease in coulombic efficiency, a decrease in lithium ion conductivity between an electrode and an electrolyte, and loss of the electrolyte. An attempt to coat a surface of an electrode by a vapor deposition method or a CVD method has been conventionally made in order to suppress such SEI formation.

(110) The surface area of an electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery is preferably large; therefore, for example, an object having a complex shape such as whisker-like silicon is preferably used. However, a surface of such an object having a complex shape cannot be coated sufficiently by a conventional vapor deposition method or CVD method. In contrast, the method described in Embodiment 1 and Example 1 allows proper coating of even a surface of such an object having a complex shape of a plurality of pieces of whisker-like silicon. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress excessive SEI formation and to increase the surface area of an electrode.

(111) In this example, two kinds of samples, Sample C and Sample D, were prepared. Sample C is an object having a plurality of pieces of whisker-like silicon whose surfaces were not provided with anything and had an initial state similar to the state in FIG. 3A. Sample D is an object having a plurality of pieces of whisker-like silicon whose surfaces were provided with graphene by the method described in Example 1 and had an initial state similar to the state in FIG. 3B.

(112) Then, cyclic voltammetry measurement (CV measurement) was performed on each of Sample C and Sample D. Ten cycles of the CV measurement were performed at a scan rate of 0.1 mV/sec within a scan range of 0 V to 1 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+) using a three-electrode cell (silicon including whiskers was used for a working electrode; metallic lithium was used for each of a reference electrode and a counter electrode; an electrolyte solution was a mixed solution of an ethylene carbonate (EC) solution and diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1:1 in volume ratio) in which 1 mol/L of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF.sub.6) was dissolved). Note that in the first cycle, scanning was started from an open-circuit potential.

(113) FIG. 5 is a graph focusing on reduction current at high potential in the first cycle in CV measurement results. A significant increase in reduction current from around 0.20 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+) indicates that silicon and lithium reacted with each other to form an alloy. It is known that reduction current at a potential higher than 0.20 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+) is derived from a decomposition reaction unnecessary for a battery and this decomposition reaction causes formation of a surface coating film on a surface of an electrode. Such a surface coating film is preferably thin. As shown in FIG. 5, the sample coated with graphene has a smaller reduction current at a higher potential than the sample not provided with anything. This result suggests that graphene helps suppress formation of a coating film on a surface of an electrode (here, a surface of the whisker-like silicon).

(114) Coin cells were fabricated using Sample C and Sample D for positive electrodes; metallic lithium for negative electrodes; a mixed solution of an ethylene carbonate (EC) solution and diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1:1 in volume ratio) in which 1 mol/L of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF.sub.6) is dissolved, as each electrolyte solution; and polypropylene with minute holes as each separator. Then, the coin cells were charged and discharged to measure the amount of change in capacity associated with release and absorption of lithium. The amount of current in the charging and discharging was set to 50 μA for the first cycle and 4 mA for the second cycle and the subsequent cycles. The potential range was 0.03 V to 1.0 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+).

(115) As shown in FIG. 6A, when release and absorption of lithium were repeated, the capacity of each of Sample C and Sample D was reduced; however, the capacity of Sample D was increased to be higher than that of Sample C in the tenth cycle and the subsequent cycles. FIG. 6B shows the relation between the capacity and a change in the potential which are associated with the release (or absorption) of lithium in the thirtieth cycle. Sample D has a higher capacity than Sample C, which indicates that Sample D can release and absorb a larger amount of lithium than Sample C. This is probably because the SEI formed on Sample D was not as thick as the SEI formed on Sample C.

Example 3

(116) In this example, description will be given of the case where silicon whiskers are used as projections and a film-like carbon-based material is formed by an electrophoresis method.

(117) As a current collector, a titanium sheet with a purity of 99.5% and a thickness of 100 μm was prepared. Silicon whiskers were formed over the current collector. The silicon whickers were formed by a low pressure CVD (LPCVD) method in a reaction chamber into which 300 sccm of silane gas (SiH.sub.4 gas) and 300 sccm of nitrogen gas (N.sub.2 gas) were introduced as source gases and in which the pressure was 150 Pa and the temperature was 550° C. When the temperature of the current collector was increased, argon was introduced into the reaction chamber. The diameter of the silicon whisker was 700 nm. As shown in FIG. 20, a center portion A of the silicon whisker is crystalline and a peripheral portion B, which is other than the center portion, is amorphous. The titanium sheet over which the silicon whiskers were formed was cleaned with 0.5% of hydrofluoric acid for ten minutes.

(118) As illustrated in FIG. 14, a titanium sheet 1601 provided with silicon whiskers were immersed in an aqueous solution 1602 in which graphene oxide was dispersed. The aqueous solution was formed as follows. Potassium permanganate was added to a mixture of graphite (flake carbon) and concentrated sulfuric acid, followed by stirring for 2 hours. After that, pure water was added to the mixture, the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes while being heated, and a hydrogen peroxide solution was added thereto, so that a yellow-brown solution containing graphite oxide was obtained. Furthermore, the obtained solution was filtered, and hydrochloric acid was added, followed by washing with pure water. After that, ultrasonic treatment was performed for 2 hours so that the graphite oxide was separated into graphene oxide, and an aqueous solution in which graphene oxide was dispersed was obtained.

(119) The titanium sheet 1601 with the whisker-like silicon was immersed in the aqueous solution as an electrode, and a stainless steel plate 1603 was immersed therein as another electrode. Here, the distance between the titanium sheet and the stainless steel plate was 1 cm. Then, with the titanium sheet and the stainless steel plate used as an anode and a cathode respectively, a voltage of 10 V was applied using a power source 1605 for 15 minutes. The amount of charge flowing during the 15 minutes was 0.223 C.

(120) After that, the titanium sheet was taken out of the aqueous solution, dried, and then heated at 300° C. in a vacuum (0.1 Pa or less) for 10 hours. In such a manner, Sample E was formed. FIGS. 15A and 15B are TEM images showing an observed surface of Sample E obtained. It is observed in a center portion of FIG. 15A that a film-like carbon-based material is provided, so as to link whiskers. FIG. 15B is a magnified photograph of part of FIG. 15A. These show that the film-like carbon-based material is provided from a rounded top portion of the silicon whisker, which is a projection, to the nearby silicon whisker. Observed from the top portion of the silicon whisker, the carbon-based material is provided like a tent.

(121) In the electrophoresis method, the state of the film-like carbon-based material can be controlled with the amount of charge; thus, the electrophoresis method has high reproducibility. Further, the film-like carbon-based material can be formed over a large area. Furthermore, the thickness of the film-like carbon-based material is easily controlled.

(122) FIG. 16 is a TEM image showing a cross section along a dotted line in FIG. 15A. The thickness of the film-like carbon-based material is 4.6 nm to 5.6 nm inclusive. The film-like carbon-based material includes 8 to 10 sheets stacked.

Example 4

(123) FIG. 17 is a TEM image showing Sample F obtained by an electrophoresis method in which a voltage of 10 V was applied for 5 minutes. A film-like carbon-based material is observed in part of the image. The amount of charge flowing during the 5 minutes was 0.113 C.

Example 5

(124) A cycle test was performed on Sample E formed as in Example 3. The conditions of the cycle test were as follows. A coin cell was fabricated using Sample E for a positive electrode; metallic lithium for a negative electrode; a mixed solution of an ethylene carbonate (EC) solution and diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1:1 in volume ratio) in which 1 mol/L of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF.sub.6) is dissolved, as an electrolyte solution; and polypropylene with minute holes as a separator. Then, the coin cell was charged and discharged to measure the amount of change in capacity associated with release and absorption of lithium. The charging/discharging rate was set to 0.2 C for the first cycle and 0.5 C for the second cycle and the subsequent cycles. The potential range was 0.03 V to 1.0 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+).

(125) FIG. 18 shows cycle characteristics. Specifically, FIG. 18 shows changes in capacity in occlusion of lithium, with the X axis indicating the cycle number (times) and the Y axis indicating capacity (mAh/g). The result reveals that occlusion and release of lithium are possible.

Reference Example

(126) A sample formed by reducing graphene oxide by heat treatment was used for a positive electrode and metallic lithium was used for a negative electrode, and a cycle test was performed. A graphene oxide aqueous solution was dried and heated at 300° C. in a vacuum (0.1 Pa or less) for 10 hours, so that the positive electrode was formed. The amount of current in the charging and discharging was set to 1 μA, and the potential range was 0 V to 1 V (vs. Li/Li.sup.+). The other conditions are similar to those in Example 4.

(127) FIG. 19 shows cycle characteristics. In FIG. 19, the X axis and the Y axis indicate the cycle number (times) and capacity (mAh/g), respectively.

(128) The result in FIG. 19 reveals that a film-like carbon-based material containing graphene oxide obtained by reduction by heat treatment also has a function of an active material.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE

(129) 100: solution, 101: object, 102: graphene oxide, 103: graphene oxide, 200: container, 201: solution, 202: object, 203: conductor, 300: whisker-like silicon, 400: film-like layer containing graphene, 401: whisker-like silicon, 402: gap, 700: whisker, 701: deposited carbon film, 702: graphene, 703: natural oxide film, 704: center portion, 705: outer shell portion, 800: negative electrode current collector, 802: negative electrode active material layer, 804: negative electrode, 806: housing, 810: separator, 820: ring-shaped insulator, 828: positive electrode current collector, 830: positive electrode active material layer, 832: positive electrode, 840: spacer, 842: washer, 844: housing, 1100: current collector, 1101: projection, 1101a: projection, 1101b: projection, 1101c: projection, 1101d: projection, 1101e: projection, 1102: film-like carbon-based material, 1103: carbon-based material, 1104: graphene, 1301: secondary battery, 1303: exterior member, 1305: power storage cell, 1313: negative electrode, 1315: positive electrode, 1317: separator, 1319: electrolyte solution, 1321: negative electrode current collector, 1323: negative electrode active material layer, 1325: positive electrode current collector, 1327: positive electrode active material layer, 5000: display device, 5001: housing, 5002: display portion, 5003: speaker portion, 5004: secondary battery, 5100: lighting device, 5101: housing, 5102: light source, 5103: secondary battery, 5104: ceiling, 5105: wall, 5106: floor, 5107: window, 5200: indoor unit, 5201: housing, 5202: air outlet, 5203: secondary battery, 5300: electric refrigerator-freezer, 5301: housing, 5302: refrigerator door, 5303: freezer door, and 5304: secondary battery

(130) This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no. 2011-179916 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Aug. 19, 2011 and Japanese Patent Application serial no. 2011-179957 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Aug. 19, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.