Polyurethane Electrode Binder for High-Expansion Active Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode binder compositions struggle to maintain flexibility and adhesion when active materials with large volume changes are used, leading to issues like exfoliation during electrode processing and poor dispersibility of conductive agents.

Innovation Solution

A polyurethane-based electrode binder composition is developed, incorporating fibrous nanocarbon materials with average fiber lengths of 0.5 μm or more, along with water, to enhance binding properties and adaptability to volume changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If acrylic polymer is used as binder to provide high adhesive strength, then adhesion between active materials and current collector is improved, but electrode flexibility deteriorates and exfoliation occurs during processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidelectrode flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines acrylic polymer binder with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to create a composite binder system. The acrylic polymer provides strong adhesion between active materials and current collector, while CMC contributes flexibility and processability. This merging of materials allows the electrode to maintain both high adhesive strength and sufficient flexibility during processing, preventing exfoliation while preserving bonding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite binder composition consisting of acrylic polymer and carboxymethyl cellulose in specific ratios (acrylic polymer: 5-50 wt%, CMC: 50-95 wt%). This composite material approach leverages the complementary properties of each component: acrylic polymer for adhesion and CMC for flexibility and dispersibility, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If larger amount of active material with higher intrinsic capacity is used, then battery capacity is improved, but adhesion and structural integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the binder system by adjusting the ratio of acrylic polymer to carboxymethyl cellulose, and controlling the total binder content (1-20 wt% of active material). By changing these parameters, the binder composition can accommodate higher active material loading while maintaining adequate adhesion and structural integrity, allowing increased battery capacity without sacrificing bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If binder with high adhesive strength is used, then charge-discharge efficiency is improved, but electrode processability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge-discharge efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode processability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Carboxymethyl cellulose acts as an intermediary material in the binder composition. It improves the dispersibility and processability of the electrode slurry during manufacturing, while the acrylic polymer component ensures high adhesive strength for efficient charge-discharge. The CMC mediates between the conflicting requirements of processability and adhesion, enabling both good electrode formation and high performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 proposed binder composition achieves high binding properties, reduces the likelihood of electrode exfoliation, and enhances the discharge performance and cycle stability of power storage devices.

Implementation Method 1

a binder, a thickening stabilizer, and a dispersant used as additives... an electrode active material, a current collector, and a binder that provides adhesion between them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an electrically conductive material... so that an electron conduction path can be retained if a change in electrode volume occurs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

applying a power storage device electrode mixture liquid obtained by dispersing an electrode active material, an electrically conductive material, and a binder in an organic solvent or water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS12244016B2Electrode binder composition, electrode coating composition, power storage device electrode, and power storage device
Publication Date: 2025.03.04 DKS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an electrode binder composition that provides an electrode that exhibits high durability even when an active material that shows a large volume change is used, an electrode coating liquid composition containing the electrode binder composition, a power storage device electrode including an electrode mixture layer containing a solid of the electrode coating liquid composition, and a power storage device including the power storage device electrode. An electrode binder composition includes (A) a polyurethane, (B) a fibrous nanocarbon material having an average fiber length of 0.5 μm or more, and (C) water. The polyurethane is obtained by reacting together (a) a polyisocyanate, (b) a polyol, (c) a compound having one or more active hydrogen groups and a hydrophilic group, and (d) a chain extender. (b) contains an olefinic polyol having 1.5 or more active hydrogen groups and/or a carbonate diol having less than 6 carbon atoms between carbonate bond chains.