| abstract |
There is provided a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries which suppresses gelation when kneaded with a binder resin in producing a positive electrode material and provides excellent coating properties. The positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries comprises a lithium composite oxide represented by the following general formula (1) and a Ca atom contained in the lithium composite oxide. When the positive electrode active material is analyzed by X-ray diffraction using Cu—Kα radiation as a radiation source, the intensity ratio (b/a) of (b) the diffraction peak at 2θ=18.7±0.2° to (a) the diffraction peak at 2θ=37.4±0.2° derived from CaO is from 10 to 150. Li x Ni 1-y-z Co y Me z O 2 (1) In the formula, Me represents a metal element having an atomic number of 11 or more other than Co and Ni; and x, y, and z are represented by the formulae 0.98≦x≦1.20, 0<y≦0.5, and 0<z≦0.5, respectively, provided that y+z<1. |