Comb Copolymer Dispersing Agent for Carbon-Based Battery Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved dispersing agents for carbon-based materials to enhance the stabilization of carbon-based material dispersions and improve battery properties, particularly charge-discharge cycle stability in rechargeable batteries.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a polymer with polymerized units of N-vinyl lactam and a comb copolymer with a vinyl aromatic compound-based backbone and polyalkylene oxide side chains, used as a dispersing agent for carbon-based materials, which is mixed with shear force to prepare stable dispersions for battery electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispersing agents (such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone alone or simple copolymers) are used for carbon-based materials, then the dispersing agent can be applied with simple composition, but the stabilization of carbon-based material dispersions is insufficient and battery cycle stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two distinct polymer components: a N-vinyl lactam polymer (providing electrochemical stability and compatibility) and a comb copolymer with polyalkylene oxide side chains (providing steric stabilization and dispersity). This composite structure achieves superior dispersion stabilization and battery cycle stability that neither component could achieve alone, directly resolving the contradiction between simple composition and effective stabilization.
2Quantity of substance
If polyvinyl pyrrolidone is used as dispersing agent, then the dispersing agent provides good solubility, but the dispersion viscosity is high and particle size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The comb copolymer component introduces polyalkylene oxide side chains that provide local steric stabilization around carbon particles, preventing aggregation and reducing particle size. The N-vinyl lactam polymer provides local solubility and electrochemical compatibility. This local differentiation of functions reduces dispersion viscosity while maintaining solubility, resolving the contradiction between solubility and harmful viscosity/particle size effects.
3Device complexity
If simple polymer dispersing agents are used, then the dispersing agent composition is simple, but the charge-discharge cycle stability of batteries is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the dispersing agent system by selecting specific polymer structures: the N-vinyl lactam polymer provides electrochemical parameter compatibility with battery components, while the comb copolymer's polyalkylene oxide side chains provide steric parameter stabilization. This parameter optimization enables excellent charge-discharge cycle stability while maintaining reasonable compositional simplicity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and cycle stability.
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 solution results in carbon-based material dispersions with low viscosity and small particle size, improving electrode density and battery capacity while maintaining cycle characteristic stability, as demonstrated in lithium ion rechargeable batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a comb copolymer having a polymer backbone based on vinyl aromatic compound and ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic anhydride, and having at least two polyalkylene oxide side chains
Implementation Method 2
a polymer comprising polymerized units of a N-vinyl lactam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising a) a polymer a) comprising polymerized units of a N-vinyl lactam, b) a comb copolymer b) having a polymer backbone based on a vinyl aromatic compound and an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic anhydride, and having at least two polyalkylene oxide side chains, and c) a carbon-based material.