Approaching Microsized Alloy Anodes via Solid Electrolyte Interphase Design for Advanced Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract

Adv. Energy Mater. 2023, 13, 2300123 DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202300123 In the originally published manuscript, errors were made in the reporting on previous work related to references 219–224. This affected the early part of section 3.4.2. Binders Optimization. For clarity the corrected relevant paragraph is presented in full below: Binder is a significant electrode component that combines active materials with conductive materials and current collectors. The binder is critical in ensuring close electrical contact, accommodating volume expansion, maintaining the integrity of alloy anode materials, and stabilizing SEI during cycling processes.[218] Based on the surface interaction with anode materials,[219,220] the binders can be categorized into “inert adhesion, hydrogen bonding, and covalent cross-linking”, according to the study of Si electrodes by Han et al.[219] There are no chemical reactions between the inert binder and anode. Instead, they hold the particles together through intermolecular force. The widely explored binders in classical anodes, such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF), belong to this type. Several studies have proved microparticles are more susceptible to pulverization during volume change than their nanoparticle counterparts.[2] Thus, these binders may not be proper for microsized alloy anodes due to poor affinity to the microsized particles with a large volume expansion. They normally have a negligible influence on the SEI formation but indirectly affect it by maintaining an intact electrode. In comparison, hydrogen bonding improves the connection between the binder and anode. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and sodium alginate (SA), which have abundant surface functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl, fall into this category. These binders can induce hydrogen bonding on the surface to well maintain the microstructure, which in turn prevents the pulverization of the microsized particles. Consequently, it significantly reduces the surface area of active materials exposed to the electrolytes.[219] These merits promote the formation of stable SEI. The covalent binder has the strongest affinity resulting from the chemical reactions pertaining to the oxygenated groups presented on them. The sturdy binding can effectively maintain the electrode integrity to preserve the three-dimensional electrical/ionic conductive channels, thus achieving superior Coulombic efficiency, high-rate capability and long lifespan. The former two binders have a relatively minor effect on SEI composition but may keep the electrode architecture to inhibit continuous SEI growth. In contrast, the covalent binder can have a direct impact on the composition and thickness of the SEI by altering the electrolyte decomposition pathway. Furthermore, some binders, such as cross-linked PAA- poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA),[221] polyrotaxane incorporated PAA (PR-PAA),[2] NaOH-neutralized PAA,[222] poly(acrylic acid)-poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-dopamine methacrylate) (PAA-P(HEAco-DMA)),[223] have enabled the long-term cycling without complex electrode design. In particular, Lucht's group[224] adopted citric acid as both the binder and surface-modifying agent in the Si anode to investigate the effect on SEI formation. The reduction of citric acid led to the formation of lithium citrate coated on the Si surface, which showed a beneficial effect in suppressing copious electrolyte decomposition to form a stable and homogeneous SEI. These errors do not affect the conclusions of the report. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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