Partially Carbonized Poly (Acrylic Acid) Grafted to Carboxymethyl Cellulose as an Advanced Binder for Si Anode in Li-ion Batteries

To improve the performance of Si anodes in advanced Li-ion batteries, the design of the electrode plays a critical role, especially due to the large volumetric expansion in the Si anode during Li insertion. In our study, we used a simple fabrication method to prepare Si-based electrodes by grafting polyacrylic acid (PAA) to a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder (CMC-g-PAA). The procedure consists of first mixing nano-sized Si and the binders (CMC and PAA), and then coating the slurry on a Cu foil. The carbon network was formed via carbonization of the binders i.e., by a simple heat treatment of the electrode. The carbon network in the electrode is mechanically and electrically robust, which leads to higher electrical conductivity and better mechanical property. This explains its long cycle performance without the addition of a conducting agent (for example, carbon). Therefore, the partially carbonized CMC-g-PAA binder presented in this study represents a new feasible approach to produce Si anodes for use in advanced Li-ion batteries.