OREANDA-NEWS. 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).

The product will be on display in booth 1726 at The Battery Show in Novi, Michigan. The show takes place September 13 to 15.

Ashland will also showcase Soteras MSi, an anode binder that was launched earlier this year at Battery Japan, as well as its BondwellTM CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) anode binder, PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) binder for coated separators, and MicropureTM NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) solvent for processing cathode electrodes.

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three business units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline – we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries.