- By:
- Burdette-Trofimov, Mary K; Armstrong, Beth L; Heroux, Luke A; Doucet, Mathieu ; Marquez Rossy, Andres E; Hoelzer, David T; Kanbargi, Nihal S; Naskar, Amit K; Veith, Gabriel M
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Power Sources
- Page Number:
- 230914
- Volume:
- 520
- Publication Date:
- November 9, 2023
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230914
Abstract
Why do battery researchers use 10–20 wt% binder in research cells when commercial chemistries use much less? This report seeks to explore this question by understanding the ordering and structure of polyimide binder with a silicon/pitch-carbon black electrode system. Correlating the effect of binder concentration on electrode architecture and electrochemical properties is vital to enhancing silicon anode cycle and calendar life. Using ultra-small angle neutron scattering (USANS) and binder adsorption isotherms an optimal region of polyimide (PI) binder coverage was found. Further, there is a preferential adsorption of PI to carbon black that has to be completed before PI binds to the silicon. Optimizing the concentration of binder leads to a 50% increase in capacity due to the optimization of binder-silicon-carbon interactions.
