Novel Binder with Cross-Linking Reconfiguration Functionality for Silicon Anodes of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon is expected to be used as a high theoretical capacity anode material in lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities. However, the huge volume change incurred when silicon de-embeds lithium ions, leading to destruction of the electrode structure and a rapid reduction in battery capacity. Although binders play a key role in maintaining the stability of the electrode structure, commonly used binders cannot withstand the large volume expansion of the silicon. To alleviate this problem, we propose a PGC cross-linking reconfiguration binder based on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), gelatin (GN), and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Within PGC, PAA supports the main chain and provides a large number of carboxyl groups (−COOH), GN provides rich carboxyl and amide groups that can form a cross-linking network with PAA, and β-CD offers rich hydroxyl groups and a cone-shaped hollow ring structure that can alleviate stress accumulation in the polymer chain by forming a new dynamic cross-linking coordination conformation during stretching. In the half cell, the silicon negative prepared by the PGC binder exhibited a high specific capacity and capacity maintenance ratio, and the specific capacity of the silicon negative electrode prepared by the PGC binder is still 1809 mAh g –1 and the capacity maintenance ratio is 73.76% following 200 cycles at 2 A g –1 current density, indicating that PGC sufficiently maintains the silicon negative structure during the battery cycle. The PGC binder has a simple preparation method and good capacity retention ability, making it a potential reference for the further development of silicon negative electrodes.