Jun 15, 2025
Lithium battery binders such as PVDF, CMC, PAA, etc
The electrodes of Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) are primarily composed of electrochemically active electrode materials, conductive additives, binders, current collectors, and other components. Among these, binders serve as a critical component of LIBs electrodes. Binders can firmly adhere active materials and conductive materials to the current collector, forming a complete electrode structure. They prevent the detachment or exfoliation of active materials during charging and discharging processes, while also uniformly dispersing active materials and conductive agents. This enables the formation of a favorable electron and ion transport network, thereby facilitating efficient transport of electrons and lithium ions. Currently, substances used as electrode binders include poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), sodium alginate (Alg), β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDp), polypropylene emulsion (LA132), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), and so on, as well as functionalized derivatives of the above-mentioned polymers or copolymers formed by monomers. In lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes, the ideal binder performance should include: (1) chemical and electrochemical stability in a given electrode/electrolyte system, resistance to electrolyte corrosion, and no occurrence of redox reactions within the operating voltage range; (2) It should exhibit good solubility, with fast dissolution rate and high solubility in solvents, and the required solvents should be safe, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic, with water-based solvents being preferred; (3) It should have moderate viscosity to facilitate slurry mixing and maintain slurry stability, while also possessing strong adhesion, resulting in electrodes with high peeling strength, excellent mechanical properties, and low binder usage; (4) It should demonstrate good flexibility to tolerate bending during electrode handling and volume changes of active material particles during the charge-discharge cycles of LIBs; (5) It should be capable of forming an ideal conductive network with conductive agents, leading to electrodes with good electrical conductivity and lithium ion conduction capability; (6) It should be widely available and low-cost. This paper summarizes recent research achievements related to LIB electrode binders, with a focus on introducing the adhesion mechanisms of binders in electrodes and the commonly used oil-based and water-based binders in current LIB electrodes. 1 Adhesion Mechanism of Binders in Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes The production process of LIB electrodes typically involves four steps: mixing various materials (including electrode active materials) in a solvent to form a battery slurry, coating the slurry onto a current collector, drying, and rolling. It is generally believed that...