Green electrode processing using a seaweed-derived mesoporous carbon additive and binder for LiMn2O4 and LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 lithium ion battery electrodes

Abstract

Eco-friendly and cheap lithium ion battery electrode processing using a seaweed-derived mesoporous carbon additive (Starbon® A800) and binder (sodium alginate) was elaborated for LiMn₂O₄ (LMO) and LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ (NMC) lithium ion batteries. Compared to electrodes made using conventional formulations (i.e. Super P/PVDF) the ‘green’ electrodes can provide significantly ‘upgraded’ reversible capacity, almost reaching their theoretical capacity at low C-rate, likely due to good accessibility of lithium ions via the mesopores of the carbon additive. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed for a binary carbon additive system composed of Starbon® A800 with conventional carbon black (Super P), improving both the initial capacity and the rate capability of LMO and NMC electrodes.