Battery electrodes, batteries, and methods of forming batteries and

Abstract

The invention encompasses batteries, battery electrodes and methods of forming batteries and battery electrodes. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a battery electrode comprising: a) forming an electrode material mix comprising electrode active material, a conductive medium, and polymeric binder materials consisting essentially of PVDF, copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, or mixtures thereof; b) curing the electrode mix to form a compressible material; and c) compressing the compressible material into an electrode. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of forming a battery comprising: a) forming a first electrode, the forming the first electrode comprising: i) forming an electrode material mixture, the electrode material mixture comprising an electrode active material, a conductive medium, and polymeric binder materials consisting essentially of PVDF, copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, or mixtures thereof; ii) forming the electrode material mixture into a sheet; iii) curing the sheet into a layer having a thickness; iv) compressing the material of the layer to decrease the thickness of the layer; and v) forming the first electrode from the material; b) providing a second electrode; and c) incorporating the first and second electrodes into a battery.