For conventional organic electrolytes used in lithium-ion secondary batteries, we evaluated the electrochemical characteristics of hot-dipped aluminum（including 9 mass% silicon）-coated steel sheet, after rolling, as a current collector. Cyclic voltammograms clearly showed coupled redox peaks for potentials of 0-0.25 V（vs. Li/Li^＋）. The redox peaks were attributed to reduction and oxidation reactions corresponding to insertion and extraction reactions of the Li^＋ ion into and from Al and Si. Oxidation current at higher potential was observed from about 3.25 V, indicating an electrochemical window of 3.00 V for potentials of 0.25-3.25 V. Subsequent EDX results revealed that the atomic concentration of Si in the aluminum layer decreased drastically after anodic polarization, suggesting the dissolution of Si. Using hot-dipped aluminum-coated steel sheet, after rolling, as a current collector for a positive electrode was inferred to be difficult. Using Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and a Li_4.3Ti₅O₁₂ carbon composite for charge-discharge tests, we evaluated the application of a hot-dipped aluminum-coated steel sheet, after rolling, as a current collector for lithium-ion secondary batteries. Results show that the material can be used as a current collector for a Li_4.3Ti₅O₁₂ carbon composite negative electrode.

For this study, we prepared CF₄ plasma treated and untreated diamond films. Untreated smooth diamond films were prepared by polishing after deposition. Then CF₄ plasma treated diamond films were produced using fluorocarbon plasma treatment. The diamond peak intensity in the Raman spectra of diamond film decreased, whereas that of graphitic peaks increased during fluorocarbon plasma treatment. Results show that the treatment increased the water contact angle of the film and decreased its surface energy. Atomic force microscopy measurements revealed remarkably lower surface roughness in high humidity conditions. In addition, CF₄ plasma treated diamond film showed remarkably lower nanofriction than that of untreated diamond film. The boundary lubrication properties of untreated and CF₄ plasma treated diamond films were examined with various water solutions. The diamond film friction coefficients were low: less than 0.07 under boundary lubrication with water. The diamond film friction coefficient when lubricated with tap water was lower than when lubricated with distilled water. To clarify the reasons underlying this difference, the tap water was electrolyzed into ion water. The friction coefficient of untreated diamond films lubricated with acid ion water was lower than that with alkali ion water because of the presence of negative ions. The friction coefficient of untreated diamond film lubricated with 0.85% salt solution was low. Moreover, the friction coefficient when lubricated with dilute hydrochloric acid（HCl）was low. It was equal to that observed for physiological saline solution. For the untreated diamond film, Cl^－ ions contributed to the friction reduction.