ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR ELECTROCHEMCIAL DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, ELECTRODE USING THE ELECTRODE MATERIAL, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE USING THE ELECTRODE MATERIAL
An electrode material of the present invention includes a plurality of particles capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium, and a plurality of nanowires capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium. The particles and the nanowires include silicon atoms. The plurality of nanowires are entangled with each other to form a network, and the network is in contact with at least two of the plurality of particles.
1 . An electrode material for an electrochemical device, said electrode material comprising:
a plurality of particles capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium, and a plurality of nanowires capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium,
wherein said particles and said nanowires include silicon atoms,
said plurality of nanowires are entangled with each other to form a network, and
said network is in contact with at least two of said plurality of particles.
2 . The electrode material for an electrochemical device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said particles and said nanowires further include at least one element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.
3 . The electrode material for an electrochemical device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one of said particles and said nanowires further include a metal element other than said silicon atoms.
4 . An electrode for an electrochemical device, the electrode comprising the electrode material in accordance with claim 1 and a carrier for carrying said electrode material.
5 . The electrode for an electrochemical device in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said carrier includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, and stainless steel.
6 . An electrochemical device comprising the electrode in accordance with claim 4 , a counter electrode, and an electrolyte.
7 . The electrochemical device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the electrochemical device is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor.
8 . A method for producing the electrode material for an electrochemical device in accordance with claim 1 , the method comprising:
(a) generating a thermal plasma in an atmosphere including an inert gas;
(b) placing a raw material including silicon in said thermal plasma; and
(c) depositing a product obtained by allowing said raw material to pass through said thermal plasma on a predetermined carrier.