Alternative binder–free electrode based on facile deposition of carbon/graphene–TiO2 on the coin cell anode for a lithium–ion battery.

This paper introduces a binder–free electrode prepared by a facile deposition of C/TiO 2 (Carbon/TiO 2 ) or C/GTiO 2 (Carbon/Graphene–TiO 2 ) on the coin cell anode using poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a cheap carbon and binding source without using binders and a current collector. The use of graphene not only presents a conducting support to TiO 2 particles, but also greatly improves the porosity of the electrode relative to pristine TiO 2 or C/TiO 2 . In the lithium–ion battery (LIB) anode, the direct deposition enabled sufficient electrical conductivity of the electrode, the intercalated layer–by–layer (LBL) arrangement of the C/GTiO 2 allowed sufficient Li + accessibility, and the resulting electrode exhibited a higher specific capacity and an excellent rate capability compared to conventional TiO 2 electrodes. Drop testing of the binder–free cells prior to electrochemical testing showed that all cells retained their original specific capacity, rate capability, and cycle stability, thus confirming the strong binding of the binder–free electrodes on the coin cell surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]