(a) Schematic of how a conductive binder could provide the dual functionality of both mechanical binder and conductive additives. (b) C-KXAS data collected on three selected PF type polymers, compared with the traditional p-type PAN. It is evident that the carbonyl groups in PFFO and PFFOMB generate a new LUMO state much lower than that of the PF (black) and PAN (purple). The XAS results are qualitatively consistent withab-initiodensity functional theory (DFT) calculations, which confirms that this special low-energy electron state leads to an efficient electron doping to the backbone of the polymer, leading to greatly improved electric conductivity.^[31]