New self-healing elastomeric binder for lithium-ion battery electrodes

The Heal B and B project presents its initial work on self-healing elastomeric binders for lithium-ion batteries.

Christel LABERTY-ROBERT (CMCP)

The Heal B and B project aims to improve the reliability of lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes by integrating self-healing and monitoring functions within graphite/NMC811 battery cells. The PEPR Batteries Day provided an opportunity to present significant progress made during the first year of the project in developing innovative and sustainable materials.

Partner laboratories in the project have designed and synthesized an elastomeric binder capable of self-repairing after deformation. This material, able to withstand significant strains without losing its properties, recovers its original shape after just 15 minutes at a moderate temperature. This self-healing ability has been observed over multiple deformation cycles. Integrating this binder into electrodes is expected to increase the lifespan of Li-ion batteries.

In parallel, new binders derived from the combination of two monomers providing both electronic and ionic conductivity have been tested. These materials show promising electrochemical characteristics and stability under extreme temperature and potential conditions. This binder is intended to replace carbon in battery electrodes.

More durable and intelligent new electrodes will be synthesized by combining these two types of binders—self-healing and mixed electronic-ionic conductive—through the formation of interpenetrating networks.