Aromatic Polyamide Binder for Stable High-Voltage Battery Cathodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium secondary battery binders face issues with dispersibility, adhesiveness, flexibility, and stability, leading to electrode separation and reduced cycle characteristics, particularly under high voltage and exposure to bases, which deteriorate battery performance.

Innovation Solution

A polyamide polymer binder with aromatic rings is used, which reduces swelling in electrolyte solutions, maintains electrochemical stability, and prevents harmful gas generation, enhancing electrode stability and lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the amount of binder is decreased to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but dispersibility and adhesiveness of electrode active material deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoiddispersibility and adhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder by introducing specific functional groups (carboxylic acid groups with specific content ranges) into the polymer structure. This allows the binder to achieve superior dispersibility and adhesiveness at lower concentrations, thereby resolving the contradiction between energy density and electrode material dispersion/adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite binder system combining specific polymer components with controlled functional group content. This composite approach enables the binder to simultaneously provide excellent dispersibility, adhesiveness, and flexibility while maintaining low binder content for high energy density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If PVDF binder is used to maintain electrode structure, then electrode structure stability is improved, but dispersibility of conductive agent and flexibility of electrode plate deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure stabilityVSAvoiddispersibility of conductive agent and flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the binder's chemical parameters by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxylic acid groups) that enhance interaction with conductive agents and provide flexibility, while maintaining the structural stability function. This resolves the contradiction between structure stability and conductive agent dispersibility/flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If PVDF binder is exposed to basic conditions for long period, then electrode structure is maintained, but HF gas is generated causing stability deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure maintenanceVSAvoidHF gas generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses the harmful effect of HF gas generation by selecting binder components that are inherently resistant to base-induced decomposition. The specific polymer structure with controlled functional group content prevents the harmful chemical reaction while maintaining binder functionality, effectively converting a potentially harmful situation into a safe operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder to use base-resistant polymer components, eliminating the generation of HF gas under basic conditions while maintaining electrode structure stability during long-term operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If non-fluorine-based binder is used to improve dispersibility of conductive agent and flexibility, then dispersibility and flexibility are improved, but adhesiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersibility of conductive agent and flexibilityVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxylic acid groups) that provide strong adhesive properties through chemical bonding, while maintaining the dispersibility and flexibility benefits of non-fluorine-based polymer structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite binder system that combines non-fluorine-based polymer components with specific functional groups, achieving a balance of dispersibility, flexibility, and adhesiveness that overcomes the limitations of individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The polyamide polymer binder improves electrode stability by reducing volume expansion and maintaining electrochemical stability, thereby extending battery lifespan and preventing harmful gas generation.

Implementation Method 1

undergoes less swelling in an organic electrolyte solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

has excellent electrochemical stability due to small change even under high voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical stability: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

does not generate harmful gases even after long-term exposure to bases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical stability: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4610294A1Binder comprising polyamide polymer, positive electrode for secondary battery comprising binder, and secondary battery comprising positive electrode
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 HANSOL CHEM
  • EP4610294A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4610294A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4610294A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to: a binder comprising a polyamide polymer containing a monomer unit including an aromatic ring; a positive electrode slurry comprising same; a positive electrode; and a secondary battery.