Carbon Nanotube Dispersion Using Charged Dispersants for Slurry Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon nanotubes, despite their high electrical conductivity, suffer from poor dispersibility and stability in electrode slurries, leading to decreased performance and manufacturing issues in secondary batteries.
Innovation Solution
A carbon nanotube dispersion is stabilized by a combination of a first dispersant, a second dispersant that introduces charges, and a storage stabilizer with electrostatic repulsion, enhancing dispersibility and long-term storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are used as a conductive agent to improve electrical conductivity, then the conductivity effect is enhanced, but the dispersibility in slurry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersant is introduced as an intermediary substance between carbon nanotubes and slurry. The dispersant contains hydrophobic groups that interact with carbon nanotube surfaces and hydrophilic groups that interact with slurry, enabling stable dispersion while maintaining the high conductivity benefits of carbon nanotubes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite dispersion system combining carbon nanotubes, dispersant molecules with dual hydrophobic-hydrophilic character, and slurry components. This composite approach allows the carbon nanotubes to maintain their conductive properties while the dispersant prevents aggregation and ensures stable distribution in the slurry medium
2Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are used as a conductive agent, then conductivity is improved, but manufacturing processability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersant acts as a mediator that facilitates the integration of carbon nanotubes into the manufacturing process. By preventing aggregation and ensuring uniform distribution, the dispersant enables standard manufacturing procedures to be applied without special handling requirements, thus improving ease of manufacture while preserving conductivity enhancement
3Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are used as a conductive agent, then initial conductivity is improved, but long-term storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersant provides continuous steric and electrostatic stabilization of carbon nanotubes throughout storage. The hydrophilic groups oriented toward the slurry create ongoing repulsive forces and physical barriers that prevent aggregation over time, ensuring both long-term storage stability and sustained conductivity improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersant molecule serves as a stable intermediary layer between carbon nanotubes and the surrounding environment. This intermediate layer maintains consistent spacing and prevents direct contact between nanotubes, ensuring long-term stability of the dispersion and preservation of conductive properties during storage
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 stabilized carbon nanotube dispersion improves the electrical conductivity and performance of secondary batteries by maintaining high carbon nanotube content, reducing viscosity changes over time, and enhancing process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a second dispersant for introducing charges to the surface of the carbon nanotubes
Implementation Method 2
a storage stabilizer having electrostatic repulsion against the charges
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a carbon nanotube dispersion, a method of preparing the same, an electrode slurry composition and secondary battery including the carbon nanotube dispersion, wherein the carbon nanotube dispersion includes carbon nanotubes, the first dispersant surrounding the surface of the carbon nanotubes, the second dispersant for introducing charges to the surface of the carbon nanotubes, and a storage stabilizer having electrostatic repulsion against the charges.