The critical role of polymeric binders on AgO cathodes in high rate batteries

Highlights: • Effect of different binders on AgO cathodes is investigated in high rate discharge. • Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) shows the best effect on the capacity of AgO cathodes. • Cathodes prepared with a PVP binder maintained their integrity during discharge test. • PVP-based AgO cathodes show lower resistance and better kinetic. Electrochemical performance of AgO cathodes containing six different binders at high rate discharge are investigated in detail. Polytetrafluoroethylene, Polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are used as binders for the AgO cathodes. Electrochemical performances of prepared AgO cathodes are investigated by a galvanostatic discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The galvanostatic discharge tests show that the capacity of AgO cathodes based on PVP and CMC binders (380 mAh g⁻¹ and 360 mAh g⁻¹, respectively) are much higher than that other prepared cathodes. The FESEM images of AgO cathodes show that, the CMC cathode have poor physical strength, while PVP binder could maintain integrity of cathodes during discharge test. Also, a superior reduction peak current (−0.89 A) and minimum ohmic polarization confirm that the AgO cathode based on PVP has the highest electrochemical activity.