Rational Design of Binders for Stable Li‐S and Na‐S Batteries

Abstract

Binders play a critical role in stabilizing the sulfur cathode of Li-S and Na-S batteries. Over the past decade, the design of binder molecules has gone through tremendous evolution from primarily maintaining the structural integrity of the electrode against volume change to rationally immobilizing polysulfide intermediate and facilitating electron/ion transport in the charge and discharge process. This article reviews the development of binder for Li-S and Na-S batteries from the perspective of molecular design, and comprehensively discusses the correlation between the functions of the binder molecules and the cell performance. It also points out the future challenge and the potential solutions to address them. Figure 2. Timeline of the development of binders in terms of specific functions in Li-S and Na-S batteries. The binder in Li-S batteries has experienced a remarkable evolution in terms of functions, from fundamental structural and mechanical stabilizer (linear, hybrid, [30] dendrimer, [31] and crossedlinked binder [32,33] ) to versatile functions of polysulfide immobilization (polymer with functional groups [34][35][36] or cation groups [37] ) and facilitation of electron transport on the basis of conductive polymer. [38,39] It opens up the research of multifunctional binder. The analogous development route in the binder is found in Na-S batteries. [40,41] Reproduced with permission. [30]

De Novo Design of Recombinant Spider Silk Proteins for Material Applications

“…In addition, artificial applications of B. mori silkworm cocoon silk protein are being explored extensively in recent decades as a path toward functional material designs with features that surpass those achievable with synthetic polymers. [115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126] This protein has been widely investigated in biomedical, optic, electronic, and environmental fields due to its additional advantages in mechanical performance, sustainability, and wide availability. [21,22,111] Therefore, direct transferring the designs and processing used in B. mori silk proteins to RSSP-base material fabrication is a practical option for creating performance enhanced materials.…”

Cold Sintering of a Covalently Bonded MoS2/Graphite Composite as a High Capacity Li–Ion Electrode

“…The relative density calculation used 3.43 g/cm 3 for the theoretical density of LAGP. [21] The binder materials, QPAC40, S-160 and methyl ethyl ketone were mixed in 15 : 3 : 82 wt% ratio. The solution was combined with powders in 1.5 : 1 ratio and ball milled using zirconium balls overnight.…”

“…[18][19][20] The first attempt to produce solid electrolyte with CSP method is manifested at the works of Guo et al and Berbano et al which resulted in a successful consolidation of LAGP electrolytes at substantially reduced temperature, either with and without a polymeric phase of PVDF (Polyvinyldiflouride). [15,21] The exemplary studies followed by another remarkable consolidation process of CSP with a LiFePO 4 cathode which achieved 170mAh/g specific capacity with~89% relative density, as reported at Seo et al [16,17] The CSP technique accomplished densification in more than 60 inorganic compounds. The CSP involves a dissolution-precipitation process, over at 25 8C À300 8C temperature range in a short processing time of 10 to À60 min.…”

“…The CSP involves a dissolution-precipitation process, over at 25 8C À300 8C temperature range in a short processing time of 10 to À60 min. [19][20][21] The attractive features of CSP can open up the discovery of new composite materials and bring together different classes of materials that are difficult or impossible to co-sinter such as polymers and ceramics. In addition, it can provide sustainable manufacturing solutions with comparatively low sintering temperatures as well as the ability to enable multilayer devices when employing forming techniques such as tape casting and screen printing methods.…”

“…[22,23] As a result, CSP unlocks routes for a wide variety of materials and extends the scope of the application areas from microwave dielectrics, thermoelectrics, ferroelectrics, semiconductors, refractories, ionic conductors to battery electrodes, and electrolytes. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Some examples of previously reported sintering methodologies for MoS 2 include a conventional sintering process holding at 700 8C for 10 hours, [25] near-infrared pulsed laser treatment, [26] spark plasma sintering [27] and hot pressing of compacted MoS 2 at 927 8C. [28] Herein, we report on a fabrication process of a functional MoS 2 / Graphite (MG) composite electrode for Lithium-ion batteries that can be done at a relatively low temperature of 140 8C in about 1 hour.…”