Review—Conducting Polymer-Based Binders for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Beyond

In the search for active Lithium-ion battery materials with ever-increasing energy density, the limits of conventional auxiliary materials, such as binders and conducting additives are being tested. Binders adhere to active substances and current collectors, yielding an interconnected electrode structure that ensures mechanical integrity during the (de-)lithiation process. Even though the battery binder only accounts for a fraction of battery weight and cost, it is a bottleneck technology in the deployment of high energy density active materials that experience significant volume variation and side-reactions. This review paper discusses research on alternative binders derived from conducting polymers (CPs). The use of CPs in binders enables mechanically flexible electronic contacts with the active material with the goal of accommodating larger volume changes within the electrode. Following a summary of the reasoning behind the use of CP-based binders, their rational design is reviewed, including novel composite syntheses and chemical modifications. A new class of multifunctional CP-based binders exhibits promising properties such as high electronic conductivity, the ability for aqueous processing, and efficient binding that tackle the limiting features of traditional binders. The practical application of these binders in Li-ion batteries and beyond is summarized, yielding an outline of current achievements, and a discussion of remaining knowledge gaps and possible future development of such binders.