The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract The surface free energy of materials plays a crucial role in defining the interactions between interfaces. In this study, we introduce the theory behind surface free energy and extend its application to solvent-based manufacturing processes of positive (cathode) and negative (anode) electro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andreas Weber, Noah Keim, Pirmin Koch, Marcus Müller, Werner Bauer, Helmut Ehrenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93813-9
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850094837904179200
author Andreas Weber
Noah Keim
Pirmin Koch
Marcus Müller
Werner Bauer
Helmut Ehrenberg
author_facet Andreas Weber
Noah Keim
Pirmin Koch
Marcus Müller
Werner Bauer
Helmut Ehrenberg
author_sort Andreas Weber
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The surface free energy of materials plays a crucial role in defining the interactions between interfaces. In this study, we introduce the theory behind surface free energy and extend its application to solvent-based manufacturing processes of positive (cathode) and negative (anode) electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. By employing binders, namely polyvinylidene difluoride latices and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, with differing surface free energy compositions, we systematically investigate how surface free energy influences key electrode properties. The binder properties are shown to affect adhesion strength, electrical resistance, and water retention in electrodes, with analogous effects observed in both cathodes and anodes. For cathodes, these differences translate to measurable impacts on cell performance, particularly in terms of rate capability and long-term cycling stability. We also explore how binder induced variations in water retention influence the formation and stability of the solid electrolyte interphase. The findings highlight the critical role of the binder’s surface free energy composition in optimizing electrode manufacturing and provide new insights into the interplay between electrode surface chemistry, microstructure, and electrochemical performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-5d36eb80088a4c6a80f7c51fa7b270da
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-5d36eb80088a4c6a80f7c51fa7b270da2025-08-20T02:41:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-93813-9The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteriesAndreas Weber0Noah Keim1Pirmin Koch2Marcus Müller3Werner Bauer4Helmut Ehrenberg5Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied MaterialsAbstract The surface free energy of materials plays a crucial role in defining the interactions between interfaces. In this study, we introduce the theory behind surface free energy and extend its application to solvent-based manufacturing processes of positive (cathode) and negative (anode) electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. By employing binders, namely polyvinylidene difluoride latices and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, with differing surface free energy compositions, we systematically investigate how surface free energy influences key electrode properties. The binder properties are shown to affect adhesion strength, electrical resistance, and water retention in electrodes, with analogous effects observed in both cathodes and anodes. For cathodes, these differences translate to measurable impacts on cell performance, particularly in terms of rate capability and long-term cycling stability. We also explore how binder induced variations in water retention influence the formation and stability of the solid electrolyte interphase. The findings highlight the critical role of the binder’s surface free energy composition in optimizing electrode manufacturing and provide new insights into the interplay between electrode surface chemistry, microstructure, and electrochemical performance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93813-9Surface free energyAqueous processingPVDF latexCMCBiopolymerLiNi0.5Mn1.5O4
spellingShingle Andreas Weber
Noah Keim
Pirmin Koch
Marcus Müller
Werner Bauer
Helmut Ehrenberg
The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
Scientific Reports
Surface free energy
Aqueous processing
PVDF latex
CMC
Biopolymer
LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4
title The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
title_full The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
title_fullStr The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
title_full_unstemmed The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
title_short The impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
title_sort impact of binder polarity on the properties of aqueously processed positive and negative electrodes for lithium ion batteries
topic Surface free energy
Aqueous processing
PVDF latex
CMC
Biopolymer
LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93813-9
work_keys_str_mv AT andreasweber theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT noahkeim theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT pirminkoch theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT marcusmuller theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT wernerbauer theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT helmutehrenberg theimpactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT andreasweber impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT noahkeim impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT pirminkoch impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT marcusmuller impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT wernerbauer impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries
AT helmutehrenberg impactofbinderpolarityonthepropertiesofaqueouslyprocessedpositiveandnegativeelectrodesforlithiumionbatteries