Positive Electrode Binder Composition for Thick High-Loading Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current binder compositions for lithium ion secondary battery positive electrodes lack high binding properties and flexibility, which are essential for achieving high energy density and durability.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a graft copolymer-based resin and a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin, where the graft copolymer is formed by graft-copolymerizing (meth)acrylonitrile with polyvinyl alcohol, offering a mass ratio of 2/8 to 8/2, along with optional (meth)acrylonitrile-based non-graft polymer and polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, to enhance binding and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional binder compositions are used for positive electrodes, then the electrode structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the binding properties and flexibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding propertiesVSAvoidbinder composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining graft copolymer-based resin (with polyvinyl alcohol and (meth)acrylonitrile components) and polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin in a specific mass ratio (2/8 to 8/2). This composite binder composition achieves both high binding properties and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity by creating a synergistic material system where each component contributes specific functional properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the proportion of active material and electrode thickness are increased to achieve high energy density, then the energy density improves, but the adhesive strength and flexibility may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive material proportionVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the mass ratio of graft copolymer-based resin to polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin (2/8 to 8/2). By adjusting this compositional parameter, the binder maintains adequate adhesive strength even when active material proportion and electrode thickness are increased, thus enabling high energy density without sacrificing binding properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If polyvinylidene fluoride is used as the binder composition, then the oxidation resistance is improved, but the binding properties and flexibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidbinding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin (providing oxidation resistance) with graft copolymer-based resin containing polyvinyl alcohol and (meth)acrylonitrile (providing binding properties and flexibility). This combination allows the electrode to simultaneously achieve oxidation resistance and adequate binding properties, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition provides a positive electrode with high binding properties and flexibility, enabling increased active material proportion and electrode thickness while maintaining adhesive strength and flexibility, thus achieving high energy density in lithium ion secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

the graft copolymer-based resin includes a graft copolymer in which a monomer, having a (meth)acrylonitle as a main component, is graft-copolymerized with a polyvinyl alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGraft copolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11824197B2Positive electrode composition
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 DENKA CO LTD

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for a positive electrode having high binding properties and high flexibility. A composition for a positive electrode, comprising: a graft copolymer-based resin; a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin, wherein the graft copolymer-based resin includes a graft copolymer in which a monomer, having (meth)acrylonitrile as a main component, is graft-copolymerized with a polyvinyl alcohol. The graft copolymer-based resin optionally further includes at least one of a (meth)acrylonitrile-based non-graft polymer and a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. And, a slurry for a positive electrode comprising the composition. A positive electrode comprising a metal foil and a coating film of the slurry. The composition preferably has a mass ratio of the graft copolymer-based resin and the polyvinylidene fluoride resin, which is: graft copolymer-based resin/polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin=2/8 to 8/2.