Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride)‐Based Blends as New Binders for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Polymer binder plays a critical role in controlling the microstructure of electrode composites. Compared to synthesizing new binder molecules, polymer blends combining the advantages of different polymers represent a low‐cost, facile, and effective strategy for the design of advanced binder systems. In this study, we aim to improve the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) binder performance by blending with other functional polymers, including polyethylene‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PE‐PEG) co‐polymer and poly(propylene carbonates) (PPCs). It is found that the PE‐PEG co‐polymer acting as a surfactant for carbon black (CB) can improve the dispersion of CB and, thus, result in a more uniform conductive network in the electrode composites. The addition of PPC, an amorphous polymer with good affinity to liquid electrolytes, can reduce the crystallinity of PVDF and improve the component interactions. Benefiting from the improved structure uniformity, the specific capacity and C‐rate performance of the resultant electrodes were notably improved, as compared with that of pure PVDF binder. These results indicate that polymer blending is a facile method to modify the PVDF binder and improve the uniformity and interfaces of electrode composites.

Boron‐Based High‐Performance Lithium Batteries: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

“…[175,176] Traditional PVDF has been the main binder for electrochemical energy storage devices in recent decades due to its good mechanical strength and excellent electrochemical stability. [177] However, PVDF is also limited in further applications by its low electrical and ionic conductivity, volume expansion, and the need for environmentally hazardous N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent for slurry preparation. [178] Therefore, the development and application of a new type of binder with stable cycling performance, excellent interface property, and green environmental protection is imminent.…”

Polymers for advanced lithium-ion batteries: State of the art and future needs on polymers for the different battery components

“…styrene butadiene block co-polymer (SBR) composites [89], polymethylmethacrylatepoly(lithium methacrylate) (PMMA-PMALi) composites [90], polyethylene oxide (PEO) composites [91], polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PE-PEG) copolymer and poly(propylene carbonates) (PPCs) [92] and epoxy resin (ionized oligomer) [93] were developed to improve rate capability and overall properties of the electrode.…”

Cross-linked β-CD-CMC as an effective aqueous binder for silicon-based anodes in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

“…However, the widely-used PVDF binders form weak connections mainly through van der Waals interactions and do not provide a strong enough bond for Si particles. 12 To mitigate this problem, researchers have used reactive groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups to form hydrogen or chemical bonds stronger than van der Waals forces. 13,14 Some raw materials with reactive groups such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 15 guar gum, 16 carrageenan, 17 chitosan, 18 and polyacrylic acid (PAA) 19 have been investigated.…”