Poly(methyl methacrylate) Grafted Natural Rubber Binder for Anodes in Lithium-Ion Battery Applications

Binders are one of the crucial components in batteriesthat provideadhesion for active materials and substrates. However, binders havealways been the least studied materials compared with cathodes, anodes,and electrolytes. Here, a semicrystalline poly(methyl methacrylate)grafted natural rubber (MG49) was independently used and studied asa standalone rubber-based binder for graphite-based anode in Li-ionbatteries. A comprehensive investigation of physicochemical and electrochemicalperformances of these electrodes consisting of the MG49 binder wasdone. The X-ray diffraction analysis found that the MG49-based electrodesshowed good crystalline peaks that belong to the graphite comparedwith PVDF- and SBR + CMC-based electrodes. Similarly, the surfacemorphology and topography results of MG49-based electrodes and blankSBR + CMC displayed a better distribution of graphite and Super P.This led to an enhanced diffusion coefficient for the optimum electrodeand a low charge transfer resistance (R (ct)) of 153.4 & omega;, which is comparable to those of SBR + CMC (129.4 & omega;) and PVDF (570.5 & omega;). Equally, the MG49-based electrodepossessed a good reversibility redox reaction and low polarization.The evaluation of battery performance showed good resilient cyclingstability and capacity retention (84.7%), and their Coulombic efficiencywas maintained at >98.5%, underlying the potential use of MG49rubberas a binder in Li-ion battery applications.