Application of a bio-derivative, rosin, as a binder additive for lithium titanium oxide electrodes in lithium-ion batteries

Rosin, which is an extract of pine trees, is used as an eco-friendly binder additive to a conventional solvent-based binder, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF). The composite binder system is used to evaluate the performance of the Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) electrodes using a range of physical and electrochemical characterization techniques. The addition of rosin decreases the crystallinity of PVdF, disperses the conducting agent and binder well, and ultimately leads to an increase in the diffusivity and cyclic capacity of lithium ions. When the amount of rosin additive to the PVdF binder is 40 wt%, the LTO electrode exhibits the highest cyclic capacity and diffusivity; of 164 mAh g−1 at the 110th cycle and 4.28 × 10−10 cm2 s−1, respectively.