Carbon Black Dispersion Composition for Stable Li-Ion Electrode Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-ion secondary battery positive electrodes face challenges in achieving uniform dispersion of high specific surface area conductive additives like carbon black, leading to increased internal resistance and reduced shelf stability, which affects battery performance and production costs.

Innovation Solution

A carbon black dispersion composition using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as the dispersing medium, combined with a hindered phenolic compound as a radical scavenger, to enhance dispersibility and shelf stability without requiring extensive time or effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon black with higher specific surface area and higher structuring is used as conductive additive, then conductivity is improved, but dispersibility deteriorates and agglomeration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconductivityVSAvoiddispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A polymeric dispersant is introduced as an intermediary substance between carbon black particles and the dispersing medium. The dispersant adsorbs onto the carbon black surface, providing steric stabilization that prevents agglomeration of high-surface-area carbon black particles while maintaining their conductive network structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and chemical structure parameters of the polymeric dispersant to match the surface properties of carbon black. By adjusting these parameters, the dispersant effectively stabilizes carbon black dispersions without compromising conductivity, resolving the contradiction between high surface area and dispersibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If polymeric dispersant is used to disperse carbon black, then dispersibility is improved, but viscosity increases and coatability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidcoatability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the molecular weight, concentration, and chemical composition parameters of the polymeric dispersant. By optimizing these parameters, the dispersant provides sufficient stabilization without excessive viscosity increase, maintaining acceptable coatability for electrode manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If conductive additive dispersion is stored for extended periods, then shelf stability should be maintained, but agglomeration occurs and viscosity rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf stabilityVSAvoiddispersed state
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric dispersant is pre-added to the dispersing medium before carbon black is introduced, creating a protective environment that prevents agglomeration during storage. This preliminary stabilization action ensures that the dispersion maintains its uniform state throughout the shelf life, preventing viscosity increases and quality variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves excellent carbon black dispersibility and shelf stability, reducing defects and production costs in lithium-ion secondary batteries by maintaining uniform dispersion and viscosity during storage.

Implementation Method 1

a carbon black dispersion composition for batteries, which contains carbon black, a dispersant, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

a hindered phenolic compound which functions as a radical scavenger is effective for enhancing the dispersibility of carbon black within the dispersion and the long-term shelf stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical scavenging: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20230387418A1Carbon black dispersion composition for battery, mixture paste for positive electrode, positive electrode for lithium-ion secondary battery, and lithium-ion secondary battery
Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A carbon black dispersion composition for batteries contains carbon black, a dispersant, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and from 0.0001 to 5 parts by weight of a hindered phenolic compound per 100 parts by weight of carbon black. The composition uses as the dispersing medium N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, which increases the dispersibility of the carbon black, continues to maintain the dispersibility immediately after dispersion and provides an excellent shelf stability without expenditure of time and effort.