| abstract |
Provided are nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxides which can be used as a precursor of a cathode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries having a small irreversible capacity, have a low impurity content, and have high reactivity in synthesis of a cathode active material. The nickel cobalt manganese composite hydroxides are represented by the general formula, Ni x Co y Mn z M t (OH) 2+a (where x+y+z+t=1, 0.20≤x≤0.80, 0.10≤y≤0.50, 0.10≤z≤0.90, 0≤t≤0.10, 0≤a≤0.5, and M is at least one additional element selected from Mg, Ca, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, and W), and are spherical secondary particles formed by a plurality of tabular primary particles being aggregated, the secondary particles having an average particle size of 3 to 20 μm, a sulfate radical content of 1.0 mass% or less, a chlorine content of 0.5 mass% or less, and a carbonate radical content of 1.0 to 2.5 mass%. |