The conductive agent is mixed as needed to raise current collection performance and suppress the contact resistance between the active material and the current collector. Examples of the conductive agent include carbonaceous materials such as acetylene black, Ketjen black, graphite, and coke. The conductive agent may be of one type, or two or more types may be used in mixture.
The binder has a function of binding the active material, the conductive agent, and the current collector. As the binder, at least one material selected from the group consisting of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), a cellulose-based polymer such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), fluorine-based rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylic resin or a copolymer thereof, polyacrylic acid, and polyacrylonitrile can be used. The binder is not limited to these materials. The binder may be of one type, or two or more types may be used in mixture.
The mixing ratios of the negative electrode active material, the conductive agent, and the binder in the negative electrode active material-containing layer are preferably 70 mass % to 95 mass %, 3 mass % to 20 mass %, and 2 mass % to 10 mass %, respectively. If the mixing ratio of the conductive agent is 3 mass % or more, the conductivity of the negative electrode can be improved. If the mixing ratio of the conductive agent is 20 mass % or less, decomposition of the aqueous electrolyte on the conductive agent surface can be reduced. If the mixing ratio of the binder is 2 mass % or more, a sufficient electrode strength can be obtained. If the mixing ratio of the binder is 10 mass % or less, the insulating portion of the electrode can be decreased.