High Molecular Weight Binder for Lithium Titanium Oxide Anodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium secondary batteries face issues with adhesion between the anode active material and the current collector due to the large surface area of lithium titanium oxides, leading to increased cell resistance and electrode defects, which affects battery performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The use of a high molecular weight homopolymer binder (1,000,000 to 1,400,000) with lithium metal oxide anode active materials enhances mechanical adhesion and reduces binder permeation into interparticle pores, optimizing the balance between adhesion and electrode processability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the amount of binder is increased to address adhesion problems, then adhesion between anode active material and current collector is improved, but cell resistance increases and battery performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the binder from conventional lower values to specifically 1,000,000 to 1,400,000. This parameter change allows the binder to provide sufficient adhesion with a reduced amount, thereby avoiding the increase in cell resistance that would result from using larger amounts of conventional binders.
2Ease of manufacture
If the amount of binder is increased to improve adhesion, then electrode processability is improved, but the amount of active material decreases and battery performance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the molecular weight parameter of the binder to 1,000,000 to 1,400,000, the patent enables effective adhesion with a reduced binder amount. This allows more active material to be incorporated into the electrode while maintaining good electrode processability, thus resolving the trade-off between ease of manufacture and quantity of active material.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional carbon-based anode materials are used, then structural and electrical properties are maintained, but adhesion is insufficient due to wide surface area of lithium titanium oxides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the binder to 1,000,000 to 1,400,000, which enables the binder to effectively cover and adhere to the wide surface area of lithium titanium oxide particles. This allows the use of lithium titanium oxide anode materials while achieving sufficient adhesion, overcoming the limitation of conventional binders.
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
This approach improves battery performance by enhancing adhesion and reducing cell resistance, leading to increased capacity and stability while maintaining efficient electrode processability.
Implementation Method 1
Adhesion of an electrode affects electrode processability and electrode performance stability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an anode for secondary batteries, in which an anode mixture including an anode active material and a binder is coated on a current collector, wherein the binder includes a homopolymer having a molecular weight of 1,000,000 to 1,400,000 and the anode active material includes a lithium metal oxide represented by Formula 1 below:LixMyOz (1)wherein M is Ti, Sn, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn, Fe, In, Al, or Zr; and x, y, and z are determined according to oxidation number of M.