Making Aqueously Processed LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂-Based Electrodes Competitive in Performance: Tailoring Distribution and Interconnection of Active and Inactive Electrode Materials through Paste Surfactants

Enabling aqueous processing of positive active materials to replace toxicologically critical N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone could significantly reduce the ecologic and economic footprint of lithium ion battery production. Processing additives are key to elevate the performance of aqueously processed electrodes beyond the state of the art. A mostly neglected factor during aqueous processing is electrostatic repulsion of active/inactive materials due to their ζ potentials, which can be compensated for by applying optimized amounts of surfactants like hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The notably improved distribution and interconnection of active/inactive materials lead to superior rate capability and similar capacity retention during long-term cycling compared to state-of-the-art processing.