Polymer Particle Binders for Lithium-Ion Battery Internal Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion secondary batteries face issues with high internal resistance and capacitance reduction due to the use of nonconductive binders, which affect their load characteristics and cycle life, especially in large-scale applications like electric cars and power storage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating polymer particles as a binder for the electrodes, with specific swelling degrees and lithium ion conductivity, to enhance binding strength and ion conductivity, thereby reducing internal resistance and capacitance degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If nonconductive binders are used in large amounts to bind electrode active materials, then binding strength is improved, but internal resistance increases and capacitance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidinternal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the binder by incorporating conductive materials (such as carbon black, acetylene black, or conductive polymers) into the binder composition. This transforms the binder from nonconductive to conductive, allowing it to maintain binding strength while reducing internal resistance and preventing capacitance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite binder materials that combine polymer binders with conductive additives. This composite structure provides both the binding function of the polymer and the electrical conductivity of the conductive additives, simultaneously addressing binding strength and internal resistance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If synthetic rubber-based polymer particle binders are used to achieve strong binding force with small amounts, then binding strength is improved, but load characteristics remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding forceVSAvoidload characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines synthetic rubber-based polymer particles with conductive materials to create a composite binder. This composite structure maintains the strong binding force of the rubber particles while the conductive additives provide the electrical pathways necessary for good load characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the conductivity parameter of the binder system by adding conductive materials, enabling the binder to maintain both strong binding force and adequate electrical conductivity for improved load characteristics during high-rate discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If polymer gel electrolytes are used as binders to achieve ion conductivity, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but binding strength becomes insufficient and cycle characteristics are lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelithium ion conductivityVSAvoidbinding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite binder system that combines polymer gel electrolyte particles with conventional polymer binders. The gel electrolyte particles provide lithium ion conductivity while the conventional polymer binder provides mechanical binding strength, achieving both ion transport and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the binder system: gel electrolyte particles are distributed throughout to provide localized ion conductivity pathways, while the continuous polymer binder matrix provides overall mechanical binding. This local differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction between conductivity and binding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 polymer particles with controlled swelling and conductivity improves the battery's load characteristics and cycle life, making it suitable for both small and large-scale applications, including electric cars and power storage systems.

Implementation Method 1

swelling degree in the electrolyte of a sheet-like molded body, obtained by pressure molding of only the polymer particles, is 5 to 50%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 2

lithium ion conductivity of the sheet-like molded body swollen by the electrolyte is 1×10−4 S·cm or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8936872B2Lithium-ion secondary battery
Publication Date: 2015.01.20 ZEON CORP

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a lithium-ion secondary battery with small internal resistance, excellent load characteristics and low reduction in capacitance due to repeated discharge and charge.The lithium-ion secondary battery of the present invention attaining the above purpose comprises a positive electrode, negative electrode and electrolyte; said positive electrode and negative electrode are configured by binding an active material layer, including an electrode active material and a binder, to a collector; the binder used for at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode includes polymer particles; and the polymer particles satisfy the following properties:swelling degree in the electrolyte of a sheet-like molded body, obtained by pressure molding of only the polymer particles, is 5 to 50%, and lithium ion conductivity of the sheet-like molded body swollen by the electrolyte is 1×10−4 S·cm or more.