The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Silicon has emerged as a next-generation anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and potential for fast charging. However, its practical application is limited by significant volume changes during charge–discharge cycles, which compromise long-term stability. In this study, we synthesize a series of polynorbornene-based copolymer binders incorporating ethylene glycol and carboxylic acid functionalities with varying compositions via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The living nature of ROMP allows rapid synthesis of polymers with precise control over molecular weight and sequence. Interestingly, variations in molecular sequence (i.e., block vs. random) and composition in binders significantly influence the mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance of the silicon anodes. Our study highlights the importance of sequence and composition control in designing high-performance binders for silicon anodes.