Copolymer Binder Research Articles

Fluorinated Copolymer Functionalized with Ethylene Oxide as Novel Water-Borne Binder for a High-Power Lithium Ion Battery: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Application

A novel water-borne fluorinated binder is synthesized via copolymerizing 2-(perfluorohexyl) ethyl methacrylate (PFHEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) to improve the performance of lithium ion battery with LiFePO4-based cathode materials. The resulting copolymer binders can self-assemble into 150–220 nm particles stably dispersed in aqueous solution. Self-dispersed fluorinated binders (SF binders) with the PFHEMA to PEGMA ratio of 3:1 effectively reduce the overpotential during the high-discharge current density compared with the conventional PVDF cathode binder. Further increasing the PEGMA amount yet decreases the electrochemical performance of SF binders, inconsistent with the expected Li+ conduction of the PEO moiety. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the PEO segments reduce the Li+ and PF6– interaction and increase the amount of unpaired Li+. In contrast, the PEO moiety wrapping around Li+ can decrease its mobility. These competing effects lead to the observed optimum ratio of ...

BIAN based functional diimine polymer binder for high performance Li ion batteries

A bis-imino-acenaphthenequinone (BIAN)–fluorene copolymer (π conjugated polymer bearing BIAN and fluorene units) binder was designed, synthesised and used for the fabrication of a graphite electrode in lithium-ion batteries.

Conducting Block Copolymer Binders for Carbon-Free Hybrid Vanadium Pentoxide Cathodes with Enhanced Performance.

Polymeric binders are essential to battery electrodes, mechanically stabilizing the active materials. Most often, these binders are insulating, and conductive carbons must be added to the electrode structure. Conductive polymer binders, those that transport both ions and electrons, are of primary interest because they potentially eliminate the need for carbon additives. However, it is challenging to incorporate both ion- and electron-conductive polymeric binders into electrode systems because of differences in physical affinities among the two polymer types and the electroactive material. Here, we investigate amphiphilic polymeric binders comprised of electron- and ion-conducting poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P3HT-b-PEO) as compared to P3HT, PEO, and a blend of P3HT/PEO homopolymers in carbon-free V2O5 cathodes. The electrode with P3HT-b-PEO binder has the highest capacity of 190 mAh/g, whereas V2O5 is only 77 mAh/g at a C rate of 0.1 after over 200 cycles: a 2.5-fold improvement. Similarly P3HT, PEO, and the blend have capacities of 139, 130, and 70 mAh/g, which are not nearly as impressive as the block copolymer binder. The unique architecture of P3HT-b-PEO, wherein P3HT and PEO blocks are covalently bonded, promotes the uniform distribution of conductive binders within the V2O5 structure, whereas the analogous P3HT/PEO blend suffers from phase separation. This work demonstrates that conductive block copolymer binders enable carbon-free electrodes for lithium-ion battery systems.

Evaluation of fire performance of organic fire retardant free acrylic based coatings applied on various building materials by cone calorimetric method

SummaryFire performance of water‐based plaster systems containing acrylic copolymer binder and non‐flammable mineral and ceramic fillers intended for decorative coating application was determined by cone calorimetric method. The coatings were applied on common building substrate materials used in construction sector, namely, Medium Density Fibre (MDF) boards, Gypsum Boards (GIB) and Stainless Steel (SS), and the different plaster finishes attempted on these substrates were Tierrafino, Suave and Bone China respectively. Group numbers of the different test samples were also evaluated following the Kokkala method. Based on various measurements, especially heat release, smoke evolution, mass loss data and the Group number estimates, it is evident that these organic fire retardant free coatings can offer good fire safety if applied on appropriate substrates like GIB or SS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers as a Versatile Binder for Various Electrodes of High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

It is known that grafting one polymer onto another polymer backbone is a powerful strategy capable of combining dual benefits from each parent polymer. Thus amphiphilic graft copolymer precursors (poly(vinylidene difluoride)-graft-poly(tert-butylacrylate) (PVDF-g-PtBA)) have been developed via atom transfer radical polymerization, and demonstrated its outstanding properties as a promising binder for high-performance lithium-ion battery (LIB) by using in situ pyrolytic transformation of PtBA to poly(acrylic acid) segments. In addition to its superior mechanical properties and accommodation capability of volume expansion, the Si anode with PVDF-g-PtBA exhibits the excellent charge and discharge capacities of 2672 and 2958 mAh g(-1) with the capacity retention of 84% after 50 cycles. More meaningfully, the graft copolymer binder shows good operating characteristics in both LiN0.5 M1.5 O4 cathode and neural graphite anode, respectively. By containing such diverse features, a graft copolymer-loaded LiN0.5 M1.5 O4 /Si-NG full cell has been successfully achieved, which delivers energy density as high as 546 Wh kg(-1) with cycle retention of ≈70% after 50 cycles (1 C). For the first time, this work sheds new light on the unique nature of the graft copolymer binders in LIB application, which will provide a practical solution for volume expansion and low efficiency problems, leading to a high-energy-density lithium-ion chemistry.

A new binder in production of water-resistant briquettes from bituminous coals: Co-polymer binder

ABSTRACTBriquetting could be a solution to economic and environmental problems regarding fine coals. However, briquettes that are formed using molasses disintegrate in water and create problems. Providing water resistance to briquette, bitumen and asphalt are illegally used, however they generate more air pollution. In order to resolve this negative situation, a new binder with a co-polymer origin, Mowilith-VDM©, is tested for briquetting of bituminous fine coals. The results of tests have shown that class I type (TSE, 1996) water resistance briquette can be produced using the co-polymer binder percent of 8, a drying temperature of 100°C, a drying time of 15 min, and a pressure load of 29.5 MPa.

Investigation of alumina samples cast from concentrated polymer suspensions

In this research we investigated a new ceramic forming process. The technology is based on a concentrated ceramic suspension with ethylene acrylic acid copolymer binder system. After the forming procedure to get the final products, the samples were dried, debinded and sintered on high temperature. The samples were studied by different ways during the process: rheological studies, surface properties (optical and scanning electron microscopy), mercury porosimetry.

Poly (acrylic acid sodium) grafted carboxymethyl cellulose as a high performance polymer binder for silicon anode in lithium ion batteries.

The design of novel binder systems is required for the high capacity silicon (Si) anodes which usually undergo huge volume change during the charge/discharge cycling. Here, we introduce a poly (acrylic acid sodium)-grafted-carboxymethyl cellulose (NaPAA-g-CMC) copolymer as an excellent binder for Si anode in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The NaPAA-g-CMC copolymer was prepared via a free radical graft polymerization method by using CMC and acrylic acid as precursors. Unlike the linear, one-dimensional binders, the NaPAA-g-CMC copolymer binder is expected to present multi-point interaction with Si surface, resulting in enhanced binding ability with Si particles as well as with the copper (Cu) current collectors, and building a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on the Si surface. The NaPAA-g-CMC based Si anode shows much better cycle stability and higher coulombic efficiency than those made with the well-known linear polymeric binders such as CMC and NaPPA.

The properties of SBS-modified asphalt binder in the presence of dithiodimorpholine and tetraethyl thiuram disulphide

Sulphur and its compounds are effective to be used as crosslinking agents for polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) binders to solve the separation of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer and asphalt binders. In this paper, the properties of SBS-modified asphalt binders were investigated after adding two kinds of disulphides, dithiodimorpholine (DTDM) and tetraethyl thiuram disulphide (TETD). It is clear to observe that the addition of DTDM and TETD strongly affects the properties of SBS-modified asphalt binders, such as the softening point, penetration, storage stability as well as the rheological properties. As both of them were added into the PMAs, their high-temperature property and storage stability were highly enhanced at proper content and ratio of DTDM and TETD, especially as the ratio of DTDM and TETD is 2:1 or 1:2. DTDM and TETD may have chemical reactions with SBS and asphalt binder, and network structure was likely to form. The mixtures of DTDM and TETD could be used as a favourable additive of PMA binders.

Influence of paints formulations on nanoparticles release during their life cycle

Pristine nanoparticles (NPs) may present a hazard to humans and the environment, and hence it is important to know to what extent NPs can be freely released from commercialized products in which they are added. The purpose of this study was to identify the parameters of the paint formulation containing SiO2 NPs of 19-nm diameter that could have an impact on the release induced by aging and abrasion. In order to simulate outdoor aging during the life cycle of the product, painted panels were exposed to accelerated weathering experiments in accordance with the norm EN ISO 16474-3:2013. The surface modification of these paints was characterized by scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS). These analyses showed that the acrylic copolymer binder has undergone a more significant chemical degradation compared with the styrene-acrylic copolymer. To simulate a mechanical aging, abrasion tests were conducted using a Taber Abraser, simulating critical scenarios of the abrasion standard. The particle size distributions and particle concentrations of the abraded particles were measured using an electric low-pressure impactor. After accelerated aging and abrasion tests, we observed a link between the paint degradations occurring with the release of pristine NPs and the embedded pristine NPs. Surface degradation of acrylic copolymer paints was more significant than that of the styrene-acrylic copolymer paints, and this induced a release of NPs 2.7 times higher. Other parameters like TiO2 addition as pigments induced a strong stability of paint against light and water, decreasing the total number of NPs released from paints from 30,000 to 1200 particles/cm3. These results revealed that formulations can be tuned to decrease the number of free NPs released and get a “safe-by-design” product.

Estimation of organic biocide leaching rate using a modified cavity jump diffusion model

Estimation of biocide lifetime in marine antifouling coatings is of great use to improve and develop technologies. An existing model simulating the diffusion of molecules in polymer networks below glass transition temperature was employed to estimate leaching. This model was modified to allow for swelling due to water uptake and to permit evaluation of copolymer binders as well as homopolymers. This enabled prediction of biocide diffusion coefficients in polymeric coatings of various binder types, including pMMA, a pMMA/butylacrylate binder containing rosin, and a trityl copolymer, using usnic acid as a ‘model’ biocide. For comparison with modelling results, coatings fomulated using each binder type were also submitted to static and dynamic seawater immersion. Fluorescence microscopy techniques were used to quantify biocide leaching from these coatings relative to unimmersed coatings. Agreement of the modified diffusion model with experimental data was good for pMMA, reasonable for the rosin-based binder, and poor for the trityl binder. Comparison of predicted and experimental biocide profiles in the binder demonstrated deviation from the expected Fickian mechanism for the pMMA binder, despite the accurate rate prediction. This work demonstrates a first approach to predicting organic biocide diffusion, and highlights the areas for future attention.

Weathering indicator for artificial and natural weathering of wood coatings

The aim of the present study was to find and develop a sensor to evaluate the weathering rates of wood coatings during natural and artificial weathering using a material of known and controlled rate of decomposition. This was achieved by the use of a coating based on poly (vinyl acetate) copolymer binder in combination with Fe2+ as redox catalyst. It was possible to model the decomposition rates by dry film thickness, Fe2+ concentration and addition of pigments. One application of this sensor for wood coatings is to indicate the need of maintenance.

English

Urea formaldehyde, that is, trimethylol urea (TMU) resin was synthesized and blended with polystyrene waste (PS) to develop TMU/PS copolymer binder for emulsion paint formulation. The resulting copolymer was analysed for formaldehyde emission and other physical properties such as viscosity, gel time, density, turbidity, refractive index, melting point and moisture uptake, elongation at break and solubility in water. Infrared (IR) analysis of TMU, PS and TMU/PS showed chemical interaction between TMU and PS resins. The level of formaldehyde emission and moisture uptake were found to decrease with increase in PS concentration while, that of elongation at break on the other hand increase with increase in PS concentration. The three problems (hardness, low water resistant and formaldehyde emission) traditionally associated with TMU resin can be addressed with TMU/PS copolymer. Some physical properties of the copolymer are in agreement with the literature values of other type of binders use in paints with values within the acceptable level in the coating industry. Thus this study provides urea formaldehyde and polystyrene as a potential binder for the coating industry. Polystyrene which leads to polymer wastes is recycled and utilised for coating application. Key words: Binder, blending, polystyrene waste, solid waste, urea formaldehyde.

Micro-emulsion co-polymerisation of butyl acrylate with acrylic acid as binder for textile pigment printing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to prepare nano size micro-emulsion co-polymer particles based on butyl acrylate (BA)/acrylic acid (AAc) with high monomer/surfactant ratio. The study involved the application of the prepared micro-emulsions co-polymers as textile pigment printing binders. Design/methodology/approach – The micro-emulsion co-polymerisations processes were carried out with different mixtures of BA and AAc using modified process. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium peroxy disulphate/glucose were used as emulsifier and redox initiator, respectively. The prepared emulsion co-polymer was characterized via spectroscopic measurements, FT-IR, 1H-NMR and transmission electron microscope (TEM), in addition to thermal analysis. The prepared micro-emulsion co-polymers were applied as binders for pigment printing process onto cotton fabric, polyester and cotton/polyester blend by using flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions were determined, colour strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and rubbing were evaluated. In addition, stiffness of the prints was studied. Findings – The achieved results indicated that particle size and homogeneity of the prepared micro-emulsions depend on monomers weight ratio, initiator and emulsifier concentrations. On the other hand, the prints obtained using the prepared binders with optimum conditions have satisfactory fastness, good handle and high colour yield. Research limitations/implications – Monomers were continuously and slowly added into the polymerising system with mild stirring to avoid disturbing the stability of the micro-emulsion. Also, emulsifier and initiator concentrations should be controlled to avoid coagulation. Practical implications – The research provides textile pigment printing binder with nano particle size within the range of 24-48 nm. Using the prepared nano binders in pigment printing enhances the stiffness, handle, and fastnesses properties of the prints. Originality/value – The prepared co-polymer binders showed high-performance physico-mechanical properties; in addition, the ultimate goal of this study is to prepare a nano size binder with high monomer/surfactant ratio using a modified micro-emulsion process.

Production of Water-Resistant Briquettes from a Mixture of an Imported Bituminous Coal and a Turkish Lignite with Copolymer Binder

In this study, low-quality Denizli-Kale lignite was mixed with a high-quality imported (Siberian) bituminous coal, and optimum briquetting conditions were investigated with a copolymer (Mowilith-VDM©) binder. In the briquetting tests, the effects of coal blends, pressure, amount of binder (copolymer, molasses, and lime contents), drying temperature, and drying time were investigated. According to the test results, it is possible to produce a briquette resistant to water and with enough mechanical strength as a first-quality product by using 50% lignite and 50% bituminous coal. Durable briquettes were produced with a 10% copolymer binder content, following pressing at 60 MPa and drying at 170°C for 45 minutes.

Fluorescence microscopy techniques for quantitative evaluation of organic biocide distribution in antifouling paint coatings: application to model antifouling coatings

A test matrix of antifouling (AF) coatings including pMMA, an erodible binder and a novel trityl copolymer incorporating Cu2O and a furan derivative (FD) natural product, were subjected to pontoon immersion and accelerated rotor tests. Fluorescence and optical microscopy techniques were applied to these coatings for quantification of organic biocide and pigment distribution. Total leaching of the biocide from the novel copolymer binder was observed within 6 months of rotor immersion, compared to 35% from the pMMA coating. In pontoon immersions, 61% of the additive was lost from the pMMA coating, and 53% from the erodible binder. Profiles of FD content in the binders revealed an accelerated loss of additive from the surface of the CDP resulting from rosin degradation, compared to even depletion from pMMA. In all samples, release of the biocide was inhibited beyond the Cu2O front, corresponding to the leached layer in samples where Cu2O release occurred.

Thick LiCoO2/Nickel Foam Cathode Prepared by an Adhesive and Water-Soluble PEG-Based Copolymer Binder

We report the first aqueous process fabrication of thick, flexible, and fully compressed lithium ion battery cathodes exceeding 200 μm in thickness using an adhesive, elastomeric, and ionically conductive PEG-based copolymer binder. The binder was synthesized through the statistical copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylates (PEGMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) in optimal proportions. Using standard LiCoO2 as active material, dense and flexible cathode films can withhold active mass loadings over 30 mg/cm2 which deliver 4.53 mAh/cm2 with 94% capacity retention at C/2-rate. Electrodes were fabricated by casting aqueous cathode slurries onto nickel foam, followed by drying and hard calendar compression at 10 tons/cm2. Coordinating the binder with lithium salt plays a crucial role in activating the cathode.

PHOTOVOLTAIC PROPERTIES OF TiO2 PHOTOELECTRODE PREPARED BY USING LIQUID PEG-EEM BINDER

We present one of the central and basic factors related to the TiO2 photoanodes of optimal absorption site. Binder is of particular importance for surfaces and interfaces that involve organic dye and TiO2 layer. We introduced monodispersed liquid copolymer binders; poly(ethylene glycol)-ethyl ether methacrylate (PEG-EEM) instead of solid PEG to increase TiO 2 electrode's surface area. We attempt to investigate the morphology of the photoanodes and photovoltaic effects using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), BET and photovoltaic properties under illumination with AM 1.5 simulated sunlight. We achieve 167% enhanced power conversion efficiency when the optimal content of liquid PEG-EEM binder was 4 wt.% than that of PEG binder. We show that the performance of Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) can be strongly improved using liquid type binder.

Sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)‐based catalyst binder for a proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell

AbstractSulfonated poly(ether sulfone) copolymer (PES 60) and its partially fluorinated analogue (F‐PES 60) were synthesized via the nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation of commercially available monomers to make a polymer electrolyte membrane and a binding material in the electrodes of a membrane–electrode assembly (MEA). PES 60 and F‐PES 60 showed proton conductivities of 0.091 and 0.094 S/cm, respectively, in water at room temperature. The copolymer was dissolved in the mixture of alcohol and water to get a 1 wt % binder solution. A catalyst slurry was prepared with the copolymer solution and sprayed on the copolymer (PES 60 or F‐PES 60) membrane to obtain a MEA. Both PES 60 and F‐PES 60 based MEAs were fabricated with different amounts of their binder in the electrodes to examine the effect of the copolymer binder in the catalyst layer on the fuel cell performance. The MEA with 2 wt % copolymer binder in the electrodes showed the best fuel cell performance. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Investigation on solubility of polymeric binder of xerographic toner and de-inking by emulsion process

An investigation of xerography wastepaper recycling by estimating the solubility parameter of toner to select a suitable de-inking agent has been accomplished in aqueous media. The major de-inking agents used in this study were composed of combinations of a suitable organic solvent and a surfactant. This research focused on the addition of water insoluble solvents, with their solubility parameters closely proximate to the polymeric binders in toner, to assist its initial dissolution. Subsequently, the addition of surfactant to the mixture promotes the formation of an emulsion. The ink could then be easily washed away from the pulp aqueous slurry. The most suitable de-inking agent has been identified to be the mixture of naphthalene (20%), isoamyl acetate (80%) and surfactant. At 20 °C, styrene–acrylate copolymer binder in the toner was emulsified in the pulp aqueous slurry to form a stable emulsion with a particle size of 527 nm. After repeated water washings of the pulp, the ink specks on the paper were washed away as a water emulsion and the speck of the recycled paper was lowered from 5760 ppm to less than 10 ppm. In the meantime, the brightness of the final de-inked pulp was improved from 80% GE to 85% GE, which is almost identical to the brightness of virgin unprinted paper (86% GE).