Reactive Emulsifying Agent Binder for Li-Ion Battery Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional binders used in lithium ion batteries form thin films and fine channels during the electrode membrane-forming process, affecting lithium ion conductivity, mechanical properties, and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A binder is developed using a reactive emulsifying agent with a carbon-carbon double bond through emulsion polymerization, which improves bonding and stability, eliminating thin films and fine channels, thereby enhancing lithium ion conductivity and battery performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional emulsifying agent is used in the binder during emulsion polymerization, then the binder can be successfully fabricated, but thin films and fine channels are formed on and in the electrode membrane, which deteriorate lithium ion conductivity and mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful conventional emulsifying agent from the binder system and replaces it with a reactive emulsifying agent that participates in polymerization. This extraction of the harmful element eliminates the formation of thin films and fine channels that block lithium ion transport, while maintaining the necessary emulsion polymerization process for binder fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical nature of the emulsifying agent from a conventional non-reactive type to a reactive type containing carbon-carbon double bonds. This parameter change in the emulsifying agent's chemical structure enables it to participate in polymerization reactions, fundamentally altering the binder's properties to eliminate harmful effects while maintaining fabrication feasibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional emulsifying agent is used in the binder during emulsion polymerization, then the binder can be successfully fabricated, but fine channels are formed in the electrode membrane, which deteriorate mechanical properties and electrical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional emulsifying agent that causes fine channel formation and replaces it with a reactive emulsifying agent. This extraction eliminates the structural defects that compromise mechanical strength while preserving the emulsion polymerization fabrication process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite binder structure by incorporating a reactive emulsifying agent that becomes chemically integrated into the polymer matrix through copolymerization. This composite approach produces a more homogeneous and mechanically robust electrode membrane without the fine channel defects.
3Reliability
If a reactive emulsifying agent is used in the binder, then bonding effect and electrode membrane stability are improved, but the emulsion polymerization process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emulsifying agent function with polymerization reactivity in a single compound. The reactive emulsifying agent simultaneously performs emulsion stabilization and participates in chain growth during polymerization, combining multiple functions into one material and simplifying the overall process despite the added chemical reactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive emulsifying agent serves multiple functions: it acts as an emulsifier during polymerization, participates as a monomer in chain growth, and contributes to the final binder's bonding properties. This multi-functionality improves electrode membrane stability while the unified nature of the approach avoids excessive process complexity.
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 new binder significantly improves the charging rate and cycle life of lithium ion batteries by enhancing lithium ion conductivity and membrane stability.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer obtained through emulsion polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a reactive emulsifying agent
Implementation Method 2
The reactive emulsifying agent contains a carbon-carbon double bond C═C
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a binder for a lithium ion battery, which comprises a polymer obtained through emulsion polymerization of a monomer in the presence of a reactive emulsifying agent. The binder is used in fabrication of a lithium ion electrode plate, whereby a thin film formed on the surface of an electrode membrane and fine channels formed in the electrode membrane with the use of a conventional emulsifying agent during the electrode membrane-forming process are eliminated, and the lithium ion conductivity of the electrode membrane is improved. Meanwhile, with the use of the reactive emulsifying agent, the bonding effect of the binder and the stability of the electrode membrane are improved, thereby greatly improving the charging rate and cycle life of the lithium ion battery.