The rational design of a redox-active mixed ion/electron conductor as a multi-functional binder for lithium-ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2021-03, Vol.9 (8), p.4751-4757
• Main Authors: Hwang, Chihyun, Lee, Jungho, Jeong, Jihong, Lee, Eunryeol, Kim, Jonghak, Kim, Seoyoung, Yang, Changduk, Song, Hyun-Kon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Batteries; Conductors; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Polythiophene; Rechargeable batteries; Succinimide
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta08913c

A redox-active mixed ion and electron conductor (redox-active MIEC) is presented as a binder for the lithium titanate anodes of lithium-ion batteries. The redox-active MIEC binder (symbolized by PT*- G m C n ) was designed to be (1) electrically conductive along its conjugated thiophene backbone (PT = polythiophene), (2) redox-active from its succinimide moiety (* = redox-active) and (3) ionically conductive by adopting glyme ( G ) branches. It was superior to the practically used PVdF binder in terms of lithium ion diffusivity and electrical conductivity (1.4× and 15 000×, respectively). High capacity was guaranteed, particularly at high rates due to its MIEC nature of PT*- G m C n , while an additional capacity was achieved from its redox activity. A redox-active mixed ion and electron conductor (redox-active MIEC) is presented as a binder. High capacity was guaranteed, particularly at high rates due to its MIEC nature, while an additional capacity was achieved from its redox activity.