Complexation of conductive agents to anode active materials of lithium-ion batteries using ion complex formation reaction.

We previously reported that lithium transition metal oxide, Li 1.14 (Ni 0.34 Co 0.33 Mn 0.33)O 2 (NCM), which are used as the cathode active material of lithium-ion batteries, was reacted with amine and graphene oxide (GO) to form composite particles. The reaction mechanism of the NCM and amine in the formation process, can be thought of as the ionic bonding reaction or the complex formation reaction between the transition metals and amine. This time, the composite reaction was carried out to elucidate this mechanism and to obtain hybrid composite particles with carbon black (CB), the anode active material of lithium-ion batteries. Hydrophilic substituents were introduced to CB surface by plasma treatment to create reaction points with organic materials. The hydrophilic CB became anionic in water and reacted with amine to form composite particles. Subsequent reaction with GO resulted in another composite particles. The hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated CBs was evaluated, and the composite state of the CBs, amines and GO was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectral analysis was used to analyze the state change and film distribution of the particles. The fact that the hybrid composite particles were obtained by this method supports the mechanism that the NCM and amine were ionized and bound by electrostatic interaction. At the same time, it was found that even CBs had the means to enhance the reactivity, and organic and carbon materials could be easily combined. [Display omitted] • Ion-complex synthesis method enabled us to synthesize composite particles for lithium-ion batteries with multiple functions. • Plasma treatment improves the reactivity of the inert carbon black surface, making it easier to composite. • Raman can be used to analyze the bonding and dispersion state of carbon materials that could not be observed by IR or SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]