Understanding Binder–Silicon Interactions during Slurry Processing

Burdette-Trofimov, Katie; Armstrong, Beth L.; Heroux, Luke; Doucet, Mathieu; Yang, Guang; Kidder, Michelle; Phillip, Nathan D.; Rogers, Alexander; Veith, Gabriel

doi:10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c03660

DOE OSTI · 1649398

Understanding Binder–Silicon Interactions during Slurry Processing

Burdette-Trofimov, Katie·Armstrong, Beth L.·Heroux, Luke·Doucet, Mathieu·Yang, Guang·Kidder, Michelle·Phillip, Nathan D.·Rogers, Alexander·Veith, Gabriel

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Abstract

The conformation of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as a function of shear during slurry processing to construct silicon-based anodes is elucidated via rheology-coupled ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (rheo-USANS). Rheo-USANS shows that PAA with encapsulated silicon exists as discrete aggregates that do not interact with one another. As a result, a well-connected matrix of silicon and carbon black dispersed in PAA does not exist; thus, the electrode is inhomogeneous. Raman mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm the electrode heterogeneity and further understand the cycling properties. These results are correlated to silicon surface chemistry to provide a pathway to making better electrodes.

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Burdette-Trofimov, Katie, Armstrong, Beth L., Heroux, Luke, Doucet, Mathieu, Yang, Guang, Kidder, Michelle, Phillip, Nathan D., Rogers, Alexander, Veith, Gabriel. 2020-05-19. Understanding Binder–Silicon Interactions during Slurry Processing. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c03660

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