Soteras CCS Binder Enables Ceramic-Coated Separators to Meet Battery Industry Heat Shrinkage Standards

Wider adoption of electric vehicles continues to be impeded by limits in lithium ion battery technology. Soteras CCS binder, a new binder technology from Ashland, enables manufacturers to address one of the biggest technology obstacles: heat shrinkage of the battery’s separator. Heat shrinkage can profoundly affect the lifespan and safety of lithium ion batteries. Compared to PVDF and PVP binders, Soteras CCS binders substantially improve the performance of ceramic-coated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) separators in lithium ion batteries by minimizing heat shrinkage at temperatures up to 140°C.

“As applications for lithium ion batteries evolve from smaller consumer electronics to electric vehicles and mass storage, there is a push for higher density cells. High capacity lithium ion batteries must work without sacrificing safety or performance,” said Dr. Robert Gibbison, marketing director, Industrial Specialties, Ashland. “Soteras CCS binders are unmatched for ceramic coated separators. Furthermore, separator producers can integrate Soteras CCS binders without substantially altering their standard manufacturing processes.”

Soteras CCS binders are electrolyte insoluble and work effectively with single- and multi-layer separators.

Solteras CCS binders comprise a two-component coating system that is compatible with typical coating processes, and results in good lithium ion permeability while minimizing negative effects on cell electrochemistry (cycling or rate study).