Water-Soluble Electroconductive Binder for Lithium Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium batteries face challenges in achieving high capacity and long lifetime due to limitations in electrode materials and binders, which affect the electrical conductivity and binding strength of active materials to current collectors.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble electroconductive polymer with a carboxylate functional group is used as a binder for lithium battery electrodes, providing high electrical conductivity and strong binding strength while being environmentally friendly and compatible with aqueous processes, potentially allowing for a higher active material loading and improved electrode performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional binders are used for lithium battery electrodes, then manufacturing process is simple, but electrical conductivity and binding strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the binder by introducing carboxylate functional groups into the polymer chain, which fundamentally changes the binding mechanism and electrical conductivity properties. This chemical parameter change enables the binder to achieve both high conductivity and strong binding strength simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite binder system combining electroconductive polymer backbone with carboxylate functional groups, creating a multi-functional material that integrates binding, conducting, and stabilizing properties in a single component, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing
2Quantity of substance
If higher capacity active materials are used, then battery capacity increases, but binding strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by introducing carboxylate functional groups at specific positions along the polymer chain, creating localized high-binding-strength zones that anchor active materials effectively. This localized modification allows the use of higher capacity materials while maintaining overall structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameter of the binder is changed by incorporating carboxylate groups, which alter the interaction mechanism between binder and active material. This enables stable binding even when using higher capacity materials that typically challenge conventional binder performance
3Reliability
If conducting agents are added to improve electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of binder and conducting agent into a single integrated material. The electroconductive polymer with carboxylate groups simultaneously provides binding strength and electrical conductivity, eliminating the need for separate conducting agent additives and simplifying electrode composition
Solution Approach 2:
The binder material achieves multi-functionality by combining the binding function with electrical conduction function in one material system. This universal binder replaces multiple specialized additives, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving electrical conductivity
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 use of this binder enhances the electrical conductivity and binding strength of lithium battery electrodes, leading to increased capacity and stability, with the potential for reduced conducting agent usage and improved manufacturing compatibility with water-based processes.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble electroconductive polymer having a carboxylate functional group in a main chain
Implementation Method 2
the water-soluble electroconductive polymer may be self-doped with the carboxylate functional group
Implementation Method 3
providing high electrical conductivity and strong binding strength
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a binder for a lithium battery electrode, a binder composition including the binder, and a lithium battery including the binder are provided. The binder may include a water-soluble electroconductive polymer having a carboxylate functional group.