Novel polymer Li-ion binder carboxymethyl cellulose derivative enhanced electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries

Novel water-based binder lithium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Li) is synthesized by cotton as raw material. The mechanism of the CMC-Li as a binder is reported. Electrochemical properties of batteries’ cathodes based on commercially available lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) and water-soluble binder are investigated. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na, CMC) and CMC-Li are used as the binder. After 200 cycles, compared with conventional poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) binder, the CMC-Li binder significantly improves cycling performance of the LFP cathode 96.7% of initial reversible capacity achieved at 175 mA h g−1. Constant current charge–discharge test results demonstrate that the LFP electrode using CMC-Li as the binder has the highest rate capability, followed closely by those using CMC and PVDF binders, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test results show that the electrode using CMC-Li as the binder has lower charge transfer resistance than the electrodes using CMC and PVDF as the binders.