Synthesis of self-healing polyurethane and its application in graphene/SnO2-pillared carbon anode materials

Abstract

Self-healing polyurethane (SHPU) containing disulfide was synthesized and used as a binder to investigate its effect on the performance of reduced graphene oxide–tin oxide electrodes compared to those of polyurethane (PU) and poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) binders in Li-ion battery (LIB). Structural and morphological characterization of the SHPU and electrode was performed using a tensile tester, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical performance was investigated using Galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance measurements. The tensile properties and scanning electron microscopy photographs confirmed the self-healing characteristics of the synthesized SHPU. Electrochemical studies were conducted using an RGO-SnO2 electrode. The electrochemical measurements revealed that the SnO2-pillared carbon-based anode materials with SHPU binder showed improved cycling performances with an excellent reversible capacity retention compared to PU or PVDF. After 1000 cycles at 1C, the surface morphology of the electrode with SHPU showed no cracks or dendrites, while the PVDF-based electrode possessed some cracks and dendrites on its surface. The electrochemical results confirmed that SHPU binder improves the electrochemical performance of LIBs.