Composite Binder for Lithium Battery Anode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium batteries using non-carbonaceous negative active materials face challenges with poor lifespan characteristics due to volumetric changes during charging and discharging, which existing binders fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A composite binder comprising an inorganic particle, a binder polymer, and an organic-inorganic coupling agent is developed, which enhances the tensile strength and cyclic performance by accepting or suppressing volumetric changes of the negative active materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If metal alloyable with lithium (e.g., Si, Sn, Al) is used as negative active material to achieve higher electric capacitance, then the battery capacity increases, but the lifespan characteristics deteriorate due to repeated aggregation and crushing of metal particles during charging and discharging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric capacitanceVSAvoidlifespan characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite binder comprising inorganic particles (such as metal oxides or ceramic particles) combined with organic binder materials to create a hybrid binding system. This composite structure provides both mechanical strength to prevent particle aggregation and chemical stability to maintain electrode integrity during repeated charging-discharging cycles, thereby improving lifespan characteristics while maintaining high capacitance from metal alloy materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The inorganic particles in the composite binder act as intermediary elements between the metal alloy active material particles and the organic binder. These inorganic particles provide a rigid framework that prevents direct contact and aggregation between metal particles, while the organic binder provides flexibility and adhesion, creating a balanced system that maintains both high capacitance and long cycle life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If non-carbonaceous negative active materials are used to achieve higher capacity than carbonaceous materials, then the battery energy density increases, but the volumetric change during charging and discharging causes poor cyclic performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidcyclic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the binder system by incorporating inorganic particles with specific properties (such as metal oxides or ceramic particles) that have different thermal expansion coefficients and mechanical properties compared to traditional organic-only binders. This composite approach allows the binder to accommodate volumetric changes of non-carbonaceous active materials during lithiation-delithiation cycles, maintaining electrode structural stability and improving cyclic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composite binder improves the lifespan and cyclic characteristics of lithium batteries by effectively managing volumetric changes, leading to enhanced performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a composite binder comprising: an inorganic particle; a binder polymer; and an organic-inorganic coupling agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2626934B1Composite binder for battery, and anode and battery including the composite
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2626934B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2626934B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2626934B1 patent drawing

AI summary

In one aspect, a composite binder for a battery, including an inorganic particle; a binder polymer; and an organic-inorganic coupling agent, a negative electrode including the composite binder, and a lithium battery including the negative electrode is provided.