Using conductive carbon fabric to fabricate binder‐free Ni‐rich cathodes for Li‐ion batteries

Abstract

Summary Carbon fabric is proposed as an alternative current collector for fabricating water‐processed LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathodes in order to prevent electrode corrosion problems from the use of conventional Al foil. The interlaced fiber bundles in carbon fabric feature plenty of voids and a large surface area to accommodate electrode materials without requiring an insulating binder. Further, the connected network structure of carbon fabric serves as a three‐dimensional pathway for electron transport. However, our experiments also reveal the necessity to adopt a conductive agent, although a very high content of it reduces the uniform distribution of cathode materials. When increasing the content of conductive agent from 3% to 15%, capacity retention of the corresponding NCM811 cell rises from 76% to 93% after charge/discharge at 0.5 C for 300 cycles. The causes of this increase are discussed.

Construction of an Additional Hierarchical Porous Framework in Carbon Fabric for Applications in Energy Storage

“…34,35 In addition, the CF consisting of strong and flexible fiber bundles can host the electrode materials without requiring an insulating organic binder. 36 Simultaneously, the 3D conductive framework of CF enhances electron transport and hence eliminates the need for conductive agents, and the thick woven structure of CF permits a high areal mass loading of the electrode active material. The lithium−sulfur (Li−S) battery is a very promising type of next-generation rechargeable battery, with a high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh g −1 and an energy density of 2800 W h L −1 .…”

“…In addition to the primary uses in fuel cells and supercapacitors, − CF has recently attracted interest as an electrode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). − As a conductive host for electrode materials in LIBs, the 3D framework of CF not only accommodates the stress caused by volume change in the electrode active material during lithiation/delithiation but also enhances access to the electrolyte and maximizes the contact between the electrolyte and the electrode. , In addition, the CF consisting of strong and flexible fiber bundles can host the electrode materials without requiring an insulating organic binder . Simultaneously, the 3D conductive framework of CF enhances electron transport and hence eliminates the need for conductive agents, and the thick woven structure of CF permits a high areal mass loading of the electrode active material.…”

Ionic-Liquid-Based Design of a Recyclable NCM523 Electrode with Binder-Free, High Crystalline Characteristics

“…The binder-free electrodes have already been studied. For example, Pedaballi and Li hybridized carbon fabric and LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 (NCM811) and deposited them on an aluminum substrate . Luo et al used fine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to cover the space and fix them between the LiCoO 2 particles .…”

“…For example, Pedaballi and Li hybridized carbon fabric and LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 (NCM811) and deposited them on an aluminum substrate. 16 Luo et al used fine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to cover the space and fix them between the LiCoO 2 particles. 17 However, binder-free electrodes exhibit quite high production costs and environmental effects, such as CO 2 generation during production of the carbon materials.…”