METHOD AND FIRING APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM ION SECONDARY BATTERY

A method for manufacturing a cathode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery comprises mixing lithium carbonate and a compound containing a metal element other than Li, and a firing step. The firing step includes at last two stages of controlling firing to different temperatures. The at least two stages include controlling a firing temperature to a lower temperature and controlling a firing temperature to a higher temperature. The firing is controlled is such that the former stage has a lower oxygen concentration in an atmosphere than the latter stage. The firing apparatus comprises at least two firing furnaces of controlling firing temperatures to different temperatures. The at least two firing furnaces include controlling a firing temperature to a lower temperature and controlling firing temperature to a higher temperature. The latter firing furnace has a gas outlet being in communication with the former firing furnace.