PHA Electrode Binder Composition for High-Capacity Battery Adhesion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode binders for lithium secondary batteries face challenges such as excessive binder usage leading to decreased capacity and conductivity, while insufficient binder amounts result in reduced adhesive strength and increased electrode delamination.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) as a binder in electrode active material compositions, which provides excellent adhesive strength, oxidation resistance, and electrochemical stability, even with a small amount of binder, and offers flame retardancy without hazardous substance generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If an excessive amount of binder is used to enhance adhesive strength, then adhesive strength is improved, but capacity and conductivity of the electrode decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidcapacity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the binder from conventional materials (PVDF, SBR, CMC) to polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, which exhibit superior adhesive properties at lower concentrations. This parameter change allows achieving the same or better adhesive strength with reduced binder content, thereby preserving electrode capacity and conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite binder system comprising polyacrylic acid and its derivatives in combination with other components to achieve enhanced adhesive strength. The synergistic effect of the composite material allows for reduced overall binder content while maintaining or improving adhesion performance, thus preventing the capacity loss associated with excessive binder usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If an excessive amount of binder is used to enhance adhesive strength, then adhesive strength is improved, but conductivity of the electrode decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidconductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the binder material parameter to polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, the invention achieves high adhesive strength with minimal binder content. This reduces the insulating material present in the electrode, thereby preserving electrical conductivity compared to conventional binders that require higher loading levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replicates and enhances the adhesive function of conventional binders using polyacrylic acid-based materials that provide equivalent or superior bonding performance at lower concentrations, thus maintaining conductivity without sacrificing adhesive strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If a small amount of binder is used, then capacity is improved, but adhesive strength is reduced causing electrode delamination

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the binder material parameter to polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, which possess inherently high adhesive properties. This allows using a small amount of binder to achieve sufficient adhesive strength, preventing electrode delamination during drying and pressing processes while maintaining high capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a partial amount of highly effective binder (polyacrylic acid and derivatives) that provides sufficient adhesive strength without requiring excessive binder content. This partial action approach maintains electrode integrity during manufacturing processes while preserving maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Strength

If conventional binders (PVDF, SBR, CMC) are used, then adhesive strength is achieved, but environmental friendliness and lifespan characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidlifespan characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the binder from conventional materials (PVDF, SBR, CMC) to polyacrylic acid and its derivatives. This parameter change provides equivalent or better adhesive strength while simultaneously improving environmental friendliness and extending battery lifespan through enhanced electrochemical stability and oxidation resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite binder system based on polyacrylic acid and its derivatives that combines adhesive functionality with improved environmental and performance characteristics. The composite material achieves the required adhesive strength while providing superior lifespan characteristics and environmental compatibility compared to conventional single-component binders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Strength

If conventional binders are used, then adhesive strength is achieved, but oxidation resistance and electrochemical stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidelectrochemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the binder material parameter to polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, which exhibit superior oxidation resistance and electrochemical stability compared to conventional binders. This parameter change maintains adhesive strength while significantly improving the stability of the electrode composition during battery operation and cycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4560736A1Composition for electrode active material, and electrode and secondary battery comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP
  • EP4560736A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4560736A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~3
  • EP4560736A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition for electrode active material, and an electrode and secondary battery comprising same, the composition comprising an electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive material, wherein the binder contains polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). By containing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) as a binder, the composition for electrode active material: can further improve adhesion between active materials and between an active material and an electrode current collector; has excellent oxidation resistance and is electrochemically stable; and may achieve the long lifespan, high capacity, and high power output of secondary batteries even if the binder is used in a small amount, thereby enabling the use thereof not only in a battery cell that is used as a power source for small devices, but also in the unit cell of medium and large-sized battery modules comprising multiple cells.