Amine-Containing Copolymer Emulsions for Battery Electrode Binders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in synthesizing and polymerizing styrenic monomers with pendant nitrogen-containing groups, leading to issues such as propagation difficulties and poor performance in secondary metal ion batteries, and there is a need for improved polymeric binders to enhance battery performance and stability.
Innovation Solution
Development of aqueous based copolymer emulsion compositions containing amine-derivatized alpha-methyl styrene (ADAMS) repeat units and surfactants, which are used to create a binder or co-binder for secondary metal ion battery electrodes, improving structural integrity and charging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If styrenic monomers with pendant nitrogen-containing groups are synthesized and polymerized, then functional polymeric binders for batteries can be obtained, but propagation difficulties and poor battery performance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the monomer structure by using amine-derivatized alpha-methyl styrene instead of conventional styrenic monomers with pendant amine groups. This structural parameter change enables successful polymerization while maintaining the desired functional properties for battery applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite copolymer system combining amine-derivatized alpha-methyl styrene with other monomers to achieve both processability and enhanced battery performance. The composite structure allows the amine-functionalized units to be incorporated without causing propagation issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymer emulsion compositions like styrene-butadiene rubber are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but mechanical integrity and battery life are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the polymer emulsion by incorporating amine-derivatized alpha-methyl styrene repeat units, which provide enhanced mechanical integrity and battery life while maintaining compatibility with conventional emulsion polymerization processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If amine groups are added via post-polymerization chemistry, then propagation issues are avoided, but manufacturing complexity and potential performance issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-functionalizing the monomer with amine groups before polymerization, rather than adding them after polymerization. This allows the amine-functionalized monomer to be directly incorporated into the polymer chain during the polymerization process, avoiding the need for separate post-polymerization modification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an aqueous based copolymer emulsion composition comprising: i) from 1 to 60 wt. % of one or more copolymers comprising: (a) one or more amine-derivatized alpha-methyl styrene (ADAMS) repeat units according to structure (I):wherein k, R, R1 and R2 are defined herein; and (b) one or more repeat units comprising styrene, isoprene, butadiene, or combinations thereof, (ii) from 0.05 to 5.0 wt. % of one or more surfactants; and (iii) the remainder of the composition comprising water. Also provided are methods of making and using the aqueous based copolymer emulsion composition.