Effect of polymer binders on the electrochemical Performance of Al-doped lithium titanate electrode

The investigation of polymers as binders of Al doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ for Li-ion battery electrode is reported. Polimer binders such as Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were used to make electrode sheet. Al doped Lithium Titanate (Al-doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂) were used as electrode powders. Al doped Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ powders were synthesized from LiOH.H₂O, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ via solid state reaction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analysed phase and size of particle. Electrode sheets were manufactured by used active material, binders, and acetylene black in ratio 85:10:5 wt%. Electrode sheets were cut and assembled into coin cell batteries. Coin cell samples were characterized by EIS, cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge to get electrochemical performance. XRD result reveals that there are two phases formed from final product such as Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ and rutile TiO₂. EIS diagram showed that sample with PTFE binder has the best conductivity with 3.10⁻⁵ S/cm. While, cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge test showed sample with PVDF binder has the best chemical performance with good redox peaks and highest specific capacity about 110 mAh/g. (paper)