Enhanced electrochemical performance of SnS-PPy-carbon black composite with a locust bean gum as a binder as in anode in lithium-ion batteries

Water-soluble binders—locust bean gum (LBG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were tested with the SnS anode modified by new conducting material polypyrrole—carbon black composite (PPyCB) and compared with the environmentally unfriendly widely used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) as an organic binder. The electrochemical properties of tested electrodes were investigated by galvanostatic charging/discharging tests, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Kinetic parameters of electrode processes were calculated from resistances. The first discharge capacities were 2150 mAh g⁻¹, 1250 mAh g⁻¹, and 960 mAh g⁻¹ for SnS-PPyCB-LBG, SNS-PPyCB-CMC, and SnS-PPyCCB-PVdF, respectively. The exchange current density for the SnS-PPyCB electrode is in the range of 4.6 × 10⁻⁶ mA cm⁻² for the system with carboxymethyl cellulose to 1.97 × 10⁻⁶ mA cm⁻² in the cell with LBG. Compared to PVdF, locust bean gum is an equally effective binder and may even enhance electrode kinetics.