Intrinsically conducting polymers and their combinations with redox-active molecules for rechargeable battery electrodes: an update

Intrinsically conducting polymers and their copolymers and composites with redox-active organic molecules prepared by chemical as well as electrochemical polymerization may yield active masses without additional binder and conducting agents for secondary battery electrodes possibly utilizing the advantageous properties of both constituents are discussed. Beyond these possibilities these polymers have found many applications and functions for various further purposes in secondary batteries, as binders, as protective coatings limiting active material corrosion, unwanted dissolution of active mass ingredients or migration of electrode reaction participants. Selected highlights from this rapidly developing and very diverse field are presented. Possible developments and future directions are outlined.

Effect of Combined Conductive Polymer Binder on the Electrochemical Performance of Electrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The electrodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are multicomponent systems and their electrochemical properties are influenced by each component, therefore the composition of electrodes should be properly balanced. At the beginning of lithium-ion battery research, most attention was paid to the nature, size, and morphology peculiarities of inorganic active components as the main components which determine the functional properties of electrode materials. Over the past decade, considerable attention has been paid to development of new binders, as the binders have shown great effect on the electrochemical performance of electrodes in LIBs. The study of new conductive binders, in particular water-based binders with enhanced electronic and ionic conductivity, has become a trend in the development of new electrode materials, especially the conversion/alloying-type anodes. This mini-review provides a summary on the progress of current research of the effects of binders on the electrochemical properties of intercalation electrodes, with particular attention to the mechanisms of binder effects. The comparative analysis of effects of three different binders (PEDOT:PSS/CMC, CMC, and PVDF) for a number of oxide-based and phosphate-based positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries was performed based on literature and our own published research data. It reveals that the combined PEDOT:PSS/CMC binder can be considered as a versatile component of lithium-ion battery electrode materials (for both positive and negative electrodes), effective in the wide range of electrode potentials.

Effectively enhanced structural stability and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode materials via poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-in situ coated for high voltage Li-ion batteries

Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 shows promise as a potential candidate for Li-ion batteries due to its high energy density and high rate performance. However, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) spinel oxides usually deliver poor cycle life because of the increasing impedance and gradually dissolving Mn resulting in the destruction of crystal structure. Here, a conductive polymer poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) surface modified strategy is introduced to settle the above challenges. The main purpose is to construct a uniform and dense shell film on the surface of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (Industrial Grade), which is prepared by a simple chemical in situ oxidative polymerization method. The Mn dissolving from the lattice during the long-term cycling is well inhibited as the polymer shell protects LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 from direct exposure to the highly active electrolyte. As expected, the 3 wt% poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) coated sample reveals long cycle life with acceptable capacity of 114.5 mA h g-1 and high capacity retention of 91.6% after 200 cycles, compared to 70.9 mA h g-1 and 56.5%, respectively, for the bare LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 sample. Furthermore, the coated sample demonstrates a higher capacity of 110 mA h g-1 and 63 mA h g-1 at 5C and 10C rate respectively. The improved performance is believed to be attributed to the formation of high conductivity and stable interface structure between electrolyte and LNMO, which is beneficial to suppress the destruction of crystalline structure due to the Mn dissolution and undesired side-reaction between electrolyte and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 in long cycle, and improve simultaneously the conductivity and interface stability of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 for high voltage lithium-ion batteries.