(b) Firing of LTO-Containing Green Sheet
The LTO-containing green sheet is disposed on a setter. The setter is made of ceramics, preferably zirconia or magnesia. The setter is preferably embossed. The green sheet disposed on the setter is put into a sheath. The sheath is made of ceramics, preferably alumina. Then, the green sheet in this state degreased, as needed, and fired to obtain a LTO sintered plate. The firing is preferably performed at 600 to 900° C. for 1 to 50 hours, more preferably at 700 to 800° C. for 3 to 20 hours. The resultant sintered plate is also in a form of independent sheet. The heating rate during firing is preferably 100 to 1000° C./h, more preferably 100 to 600° C./h. In particular, this heating rate is preferably employed in a temperature rising process from 300° C. to 800° C., more preferably from 400° C. to 800° C.
(c) Summary
As described above, a LTO sintered plate can be preferably produced. In this preferable production method, it is effective 1) to adjust the particle size distribution of the LTO powder and/or 2) to change the heating rate during firing, and these are considered to contribute to achieving various properties of the LTO sintered plate.
The invention will be illustrated in more detail by the following examples. In the following examples, LiCoO2 will be abbreviated as “LCO”, and Li4Ti5O12 will be abbreviated as “LTO”.
(1) Production of Positive Electrode Plate
(1a) Preparation of LCO green sheet