Abstract
AbstractThe implementation of aqueous electrode processing for lithium‐ion positive electrodes is key towards the realization of environmentally benign and cheap battery production. One of the water‐soluble binders that has attracted most attention is chitosan, the second‐most abundant natural biopolymer. Herein, the use of chitosan for high‐voltage, cobalt‐free LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathodes is reported for the first time. A detailed comparison of three different grades of chitosan with varying chain length and degrees of deacetylation (DD) is provided to explore the impact of these properties on the electrochemical performance. In fact, bio‐derived chitosan with a relatively lower DD outperforms synthetic chitosan‐especially after crosslinking with citric acid‐yielding about 10 % higher capacities. Higher molecular weight appears additionally advantageous for the cycling stability. Finally, guar gum is employed as slurry thickener, co‐crosslinking with chitosan. This allows for achieving 50 % higher mass loadings than for chitosan only and stable capacities above 130 and 120 mAh g−1 at C/3 and 1 C, respectively.
Highlights
The implementation of aqueous electrode processing for lithium-ion positive electrodes is key towards the realization of environmentally benign and cheap battery production
Three-electrode Swagelok cells employing lithium metal foil as counter and reference electrodes were used for the electrochemical characterization
The corresponding electrochemical data nicely reflects these morphological improvements of the Chi-75-X electrodes, which offer slightly improved cycling stability and higher capacities compared to the Chi-75 electrodes (Figure 6d)
Summary
The active material, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO; d50 = 14.4 μm; BET surface area: < 1.0 m2 g 1; tap density = 2.26 g cm 3), was prepared in a continuously-stirred tank reactor according to the co-precipitation method and temperature treatment to tune particle size and www.batteries-supercaps.org
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
