Production method of positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and positive electrode active material

A production method of a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising:

• (a) a step of providing a nickel hydroxide (x) which is represented by the general formula
• Ni1−(x+y)CoxMy(OH)2,
• where 0.1≦x≦0.35 and 0.03≦y≦0.2 are satisfied and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti and Sn;
• (b) a step of heating said nickel hydroxide (x) at a temperature not lower than 800° C. and not higher than 950° C. to produce a nickel oxide (y) which is represented by the general formula
• Ni1−(x+y)CoxMyO,
• where 0.1≦x≦0.35 and 0.03≦y≦0.2 are satisfied and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti and Sn;
• and
• (c) a step of mixing said nickel oxide (y) with a lithium compound to obtain a mixture and heating said mixture at a temperature not lower than 700° C. and not higher than 850° C. to produce a lithium-containing composite oxide (z) which is represented by the general formula
• LiNi1−(x+y)CoxMyO2,
• where 0.1≦x≦0.35 and 0.03≦y≦0.2 are satisfied and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti and Sn.