Novel polyvinylimidazolium nanoparticles as high-performance binders for lithium-ion batteries

A series of polyvinylimidazolium-based nanoparticles were prepared via precipitation polymerization and tested as binders in cathodes of lithium ion batteries. Compared with the commercial standard poly(vinylidene fluoride), the as-synthesized nanoparticles present a superior performance. This little change of a polymer in otherwise unaltered devices gives not only a higher specific capacity but also an outstanding long-term electrochemical durability at least for 1000 charge-discharge cycles.