High polar polyacrylonitrile as a potential binder for negative electrodes in lithium ion batteries

In this study, we investigated the potential of highly polar polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a binder for negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical performance of PAN on three representative active materials, commercial graphite, high-capacity silicon/graphite, and high-power Li4Ti5O12 (LTO), was characterized and compared to the performance of conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) and sodium-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binders. The high polarity of nitrile groups in PAN leads to larger binder coverage on the surface of active materials, resulting in strong adhesion and low irreversible capacity. Additionally, PAN-containing electrodes showed good electrolyte wettability and low charge transfer resistance. These contribute to excellent electrochemical performance of PAN binder. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.