Rational design of functional binder systems for high-energy lithium-based rechargeable batteries

doi:10.1016/j.ensm.2020.11.021

Energy Storage Materials

Volume 35, March 2021, Pages 353-377

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2020.11.021 Get rights and content

Abstract

Binders, which maintain the structural integrity of electrodes, are critical components of lithium-based rechargeable batteries (LBRBs) that significantly affect battery performances, despite accounting for 2 to 5 wt% (up to 5 wt% but usually 2 wt%) of the entire electrode. Traditional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders that interact with electrode components via weak van der Waals forces are effective in conventional LBRB systems (graphite/LiCoO₂, etc.). However, its stable fluorinated structures limit the potential for further functionalization and inhibit strong interactions towards external substances. Consequently, they are unsuitable for next-generation battery systems with high energy density. There is thus a need for new functional binders with facile features compatible with novel electrode materials and chemistries. Here in this review we consider the strategies for rationally designing these functional binders. On the basis of fundamental understandings of the issues for high-energy electrode materials, we have summarized seven desired functions that binders should possess depending on the target electrodes where the binders will be applied. Then a variety of leading-edge functional binders are reviewed to show how their chemical structures realize these above functions and how the employment of these binders affects the cell's electrochemical performances. Finally the corresponding design strategies are therefore proposed, and future research opportunities as well as challenges relating to LBRB binders are outlined.

Section snippets

Adhesion

A stable LBRB requires strong attachment and intimate contact between active material particles and conductive agents, as well as their robust adhesion to the current collector. This adhesion ability is the first priority and the most important factor into consideration when designing a novel binder. The adhesion ability of a polymeric binder mainly depends on its various surface functional groups and surface interactions, which may include van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions and

Summary of design strategies

Binders are continuously facing challenges with the development of LBRBs. The pursuit of high-energy battery systems keeps pushing the requirements on binders to a new level. Conventional PVDF binder with great electrochemical stability and weak van der Waals forces works effectively with traditional LBRB intercalation chemistries (e.g. graphite/LiCoO2), maintaining its structural integrity. Nevertheless, for next-generation LBRBs (high-energy, high-power), PVDF is unable to fulfill the

Future outlook

In spite of these remarkable advances, many problems remain to be focused and solved: (1) the most prominent and commonly-used method for assessing a binder's adhesion ability is the peeling-off test. However, this test can only provide information on the bulk electrode layer's adhesion to the current collector, on a macro-level. Therefore, there is a lack of quantitative data on the adhesion between the binder and the active material and that between the binder and the conductive additive.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests.

Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (No. 2019YFE0100200 and 2019YFA0705703), the Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2019ZD026). This study was also financially supported by the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U1401243), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51232005). Naser Tavajohi appreciates the financial support by Bio4Energy program.

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¹: These authors contribute equally to this work

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Rational design of functional binder systems for high-energy lithium-based rechargeable batteries

Abstract

Section snippets

Table of contents

Adhesion

Summary of design strategies

Future outlook

Declaration of Competing Interest

Acknowledgements

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Electrochim. Acta

J. Power Sources

Mater. Today

Energy Storage Mater.

Electrochim. Acta

J. Power Sources

Electrochem. Commun.

Int. J. Electrochem. Sci.

J. Power Sources

J. Power Sources

J. Power Sources

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Electrochim. Acta

J. Power Sources

J. Power Sources

Electrochem. Commun.

J. Electroanalyt. Chem.

Joule

Nano Energy

Nature Energy

Science

Energy Environ. Sci.

Chem. Commun.

Acc. Chem. Res.

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

Adv. Energy Mater.

J. Electrochem. Sci. Technol.

Energy Storage Sci. Technol.

Polymer Eng. Sci.

Adv. Mater.

J. Am. Chem. Soc.

Adv. Energy Mater.

J. Electrochem. Soc.

J. Electrochem. Soc.

J. Electrochem. Soc.

Chem. Rev.

Adv. Energy Mater.

Chem. Soc. Rev.

ChemSusChem

J. Mater. Sci.

Rubber Chem. Technol.

J. Phys. Chem. C

Electrochemistry

Adv. Energy Mater.

J. Phys. Chem. Lett.

J. Solid State Electrochem.

J. Appl. Electrochem.