Method of preparing a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, method of fabricating a rechargeable lithium battery, and a rechargeable lithium battery

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of preparing a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery. The steps include vacuum-drying a negative electrode precursor, the negative electrode precursor comprising a negative active material and an aqueous binder. The steps may further include vacuum-drying a lithium cell battery that includes a vacuum-dried negative electrode.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of preparing a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising: 
 vacuum-drying a negative electrode precursor, the negative electrode precursor comprising a negative active material and an aqueous binder.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum-drying is performed at a temperature from 80 to 200° C. under a pressure of 10 torr or less for 1 to 72 hours.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vacuum-drying is performed at a temperature from 90 to 150° C. under a pressure of 10 torr or less for 1 to 72 hours.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the negative electrode is prepared by coating a negative active material composition on a current collector, the negative active material composition comprising the negative active material and the aqueous binder.  
     
     
         5 . A method of fabricating a rechargeable lithium battery comprising: 
 assembling a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte to form a battery precursor; and    vacuum-drying the battery precursor.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the vacuum-drying is performed at a temperature of 100° C. or less.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the negative electrode is prepared by vacuum-drying a negative electrode precursor including a negative active material and an aqueous binder.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the vacuum-drying is performed at a temperature from 80 to 200° C. under a pressure of 10 torr or less for 1 to 72 hours.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the vacuum-drying is performed at a temperature from 90 to 150° C. under a pressure of 10 torr or less for 1 to 72 hours.  
     
     
         10 . A rechargeable lithium battery in which a total amount of gas is generated gas during initial charging, wherein the gas generated has a CO content of 30 volume % or less.  
     
     
         11 . The rechargeable lithium battery of  claim 10 , wherein the gas generated has a H 2  content of 0.2 volume % or less.