Actinic and electron beam radiation curable electrode binders and electrodes incorporating same

摘要

A process for manufacturing an electrode utilizing electron beam (EB) or actinic radiation to cure electrode binding polymers is provided. A process is also disclosed for mixing specific actinic or EB radiation curable chemical precursors with electrode solid particles, application of the mixture to an electrode current collector, followed by the application of actinic or EB radiation to the current collector for curing the polymer, thereby binding the electrode material to the current collector. Lithium ion batteries, electric double layer capacitors, and components produced therefrom are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of forming an electrode comprising:
mixing a binder coating composition with an electrode particulate material to form a mixture, the binder coating composition comprising a functionalized polymer in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 100 wt. % of the binder coating composition, the functionalized polymer having a melt viscosity at 38° C. of less than about 2000 Pascal seconds, the binder coating composition further comprising a crosslinking agent capable of forming covalent bonds with the functionalized polymer upon subjection to actinic or electron beam radiation, the binder coating composition having a melt viscosity of less than about 20 Pascal seconds; applying the mixture to a surface of a current collector to form a layer; and subjecting the layer of the mixture to actinic or electron beam radiation, thereby crosslinking the functionalized polymer according to a crosslinking reaction between the crosslinking agent and the functionalized polymer.