Polyacrylate bound TiSb2 electrodes for Li-ion batteries

Crystalline TiSb2 electrodes prepared using two different binders, PVDF and lithium polyacrylate (LiPAA), were examined as negative electrodes in Li-ion batteries. The cycle life of the electrodes is strongly influenced by the choice of the binder, reaching ca. 120 cycles with LiPAA vs. ca. 90 cycles achieved with the common binder PVDF. Moreover, rate capability is improved using LiPAA binder. The reduction in TiSb2 particle size is shown to influence the average practical specific charge at high charge/discharge rates. The reasons for this improvement are discussed and the optimized electrode was demonstrated in full Li-ion cells. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.