January 20, 2021 / Press Release

Improving the performance of lithium batteries

High-temperature polyimide TECAPOWDER P84 enhances the electrochemical properties

Demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems is rising. A key factor when it comes to competitiveness vis-à-vis combustion engines and acceptance of the systems is the battery technology. Progress in the field of electrical performance is considerable. For example, the energy density of lithium-ion batteries has almost doubled within the past ten years.

Manufacturers of electric vehicles face the challenge of developing innovative batteries with improved charging and discharging rates. The decisive factors in a long service life – even after several charging cycles – are the adhesion and thickness of the coating. Here, highly adhesive, soluble high-temperature polyimides are used as binding agents.

Acting as an electrode binder, the fully imidized polymer TECAPOWDER P84 improves the performance both of batteries with lithium ions and those with lithium-ceramic technology. The high-performance plastic processed by Ensinger Sintimid in Lenzing (Austria) is a thermally stable, co-polyimide-based binding agent and can bind with highly polar solvents. As a result, TECAPOWDER P84 improves the performance of anodes, cathodes and separators in batteries.

Studies have confirmed that highly adhesive, soluble P84 co-polyimides, when used as binders in heavy-duty anodes on a Si/C basis, in particular improve the electrochemical properties (cycling performance and rate capabilities) but also simplify the anode preparation process.

Compared with other polymeric binding agents such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) TECAPOWER P84 is not flammable, non-meltable, is a good insulator and stands out for good adhesion to metals.

Property profile:

High thermal resistance
Good wear resistance at elevated temperatures
Very good creep resistance
High compressive strength
Very high glass transition temperature
Excellent mechanical properties
High purity
Good plasma erosion
Low outgassing

In battery manufacture the polymer can be applied in dissolved form or using a dry-coating technique. Ensinger offers TECAPOWDER P84 for the production of high-performance lithium batteries in lots of different variants, from solution-quality granules through to fine powder.

Grades:

TECAPOWDER P84 SG: Granules for the production of polyimide solutions
TECAPOWDER P84 fine mesh grades: for use in dry-coating processes

Ensinger Sintimid has been processing non-meltable polyimides for more than 30 years. Production in Lenzing is ISO-certified.

TECAPOWDER P84 is based on P84^® by Evonik.

Further information

ensingerplastics.com/en/p84-powder

Your Contact for Technical Information

Erwin Kubinger

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About Ensinger

The Ensinger Group is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of compounds, semi-finished materials, composites, technical parts and profiles made of engineering and high-performance plastics. To process the thermoplastic polymers, Ensinger uses a wide range of production techniques, such as extrusion, machining, injection moulding, casting, sintering and pressing. With a total of 2,700 employees at 35 locations, the family-owned enterprise is represented worldwide in all major industrial regions with manufacturing facilities or sales offices.

Acting as an electrode binder, the fully imidized polymer TECAPOWDER P84 improves the performance both of batteries with lithium ions and those with lithium-ceramic technology