Composite Electrode Binder for Low-Temperature Battery Cycling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional binder compositions for non-aqueous secondary battery electrodes fail to adequately enhance low-temperature output characteristics and cycle characteristics of non-aqueous secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

A binder composition comprising a particulate polymer A, a block copolymer with an aromatic vinyl monomer unit and an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer unit, and a particulate polymer B, a random copolymer with a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer unit, is used to form a slurry composition that improves electrode stability and prevents aggregation of active materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional binder compositions are used, then electrode formation is achieved, but low-temperature output characteristics and cycle characteristics are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature output characteristics and cycle characteristicsVSAvoidperformance across different temperature conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite binder system combining particulate polymer A (block copolymer with aromatic vinyl and aliphatic conjugated diene units) and particulate polymer B (random copolymer with (meth)acrylic acid ester units). This composite approach leverages the mechanical strength and structural stability of polymer A with the flexibility and low-temperature performance of polymer B, achieving both excellent low-temperature output characteristics and cycle characteristics that neither polymer could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise compositional parameters for the binder composition, including the proportion of (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer units in polymer B (not less than 20 mass% and not more than 80 mass%), and the specific monomer unit compositions of both polymers. By optimizing these chemical composition parameters, the binder achieves enhanced performance across different temperature conditions while maintaining electrode stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If binder composition is optimized for performance, then low-temperature output characteristics improve, but electrode stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature output characteristicsVSAvoidelectrode stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite binder system balances performance and stability through complementary polymer properties. Particulate polymer A with its block copolymer structure (aromatic vinyl and aliphatic conjugated diene units) provides structural integrity and electrode stability, while particulate polymer B with (meth)acrylic acid ester units contributes flexibility and low-temperature output characteristics. The synergistic combination maintains both electrode stability and enhanced low-temperature performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If single polymer binder is used, then manufacturing is simple, but battery performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder composition simplicityVSAvoidbattery performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

While the binder composition uses two different particulate polymers, the manufacturing process remains relatively simple by utilizing commercially available polymer particles with specified compositional ranges. The patent specifies clear criteria for selecting polymer A and polymer B based on their monomer unit compositions, making the composite approach feasible for industrial production while achieving superior battery performance including excellent low-temperature output characteristics and cycle characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11742488B2Binder composition for non-aqueous secondary battery electrode, slurry composition for non-aqueous secondary battery electrode, electrode for non-aqueous secondary battery, and non-aqueous secondary battery
Publication Date: 2023.08.29 ZEON CORP

AI summary

A binder composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery electrode contains a particulate polymer A and a particulate polymer B. The particulate polymer A is a block copolymer including an aromatic vinyl monomer unit and an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer unit having a carbon number of 4 or more. The particulate polymer B is a random copolymer including a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer unit in a proportion of not less than 20.0 mass % and not more than 80.0 mass %.