Abstract
Locust Bean Gum (LBG, carob bean gum) was investigated as an environmentally friendly, natural, and water-soluble binder for cathode (LFP) and anode (LTO) in lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion). For the first time, we show LBG as an electrode binder and compare to those of the most popular aqueous (CMC) and conventional (PVDF) binders. The electrodes were characterized using TGA/DSC, the galvanostatic charge–discharge cycle test, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Thermal decomposition of LBG is seen to begin above 250 °C with a weight loss of about 60 wt% observed at 300 °C, which is sufficient to ensure stable performance of the electrode in a Li-ion battery. For CMC, weight loss at the same temperature is about 45%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the LFP–LBG system has a similar distribution of conductive carbon black particles to PVDF electrodes. The LTO–LBG electrode has a homogeneous dispersion of the electrode elements and maintains the electrical integrity of the network even after cycling, which leads to fast electron migration between LTO and carbon black particles, as well as ion conductivity between LTO active material and electrolyte, better than in systems with CMC and PVDF. The exchange current density, obtained from impedance spectroscopy fell within a broad range between 10−4 and 10−2 mA cm−2 for the LTO|Li and LFP|Li systems, respectively. The results presented in this paper indicate that LBG is a new promising material to serve as a binder.Graphic abstract
Highlights
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are continuously being developed and improved
The tested electrodes were prepared by casting the active material, the electronic conductor, and a binder slurry, in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP, Fluka) for poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) binder or in water for carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and LBG binders, on the current collector
The thermal decomposition of CMC (Fig. 1b) and LBG (Fig. 1c) is seen to begin above 250 °C with a weight loss of approx. 45 wt% and 60 wt% observed at 300 °C for carboxymethyl cellulose and locust bean gum, respectively
Summary
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are continuously being developed and improved. Many papers presented attempt to increase their energy density, power, cyclability, or reduce. Li-ion batteries are composed of anode and cathode electrodes separated by a separator soaked in an electrolyte. Both electrodes include an active material, a conductive agent, a current collector, and a polymeric binder. The absence of toxicity facilitates their use in the textile, pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetics, and food industries [25] This manuscript investigates LBG as a new water-soluble binder for the cathode (LFP) and anode (LTO) in lithiumion batteries (Li-ion). Electrodes were prepared with LBG, CMC, and PVDF These electrodes were tested in the system with a lithium anode. The obtained results for electrodes with LBG as a binder were compared to those of the most popular aqueous (CMC) and conventional (PVDF) binders
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