Carbon Nanotube Conductive Dispersion for Low-Resistance Electrode Slurry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing conductive material dispersions used in lithium secondary batteries suffer from poor dispersibility of carbon nanotubes, leading to increased electrode resistance and reduced electrochemical performance.
Innovation Solution
A conductive material dispersion is developed, comprising carbon nanotubes, a hydrogenated nitrile-based copolymer, a multivalent amine-based compound, and a solvent, with an amine value ranging from 5 mgKOH/g to 30 mgKOH/g, to enhance dispersibility and electrochemical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carbon nanotubes are mixed in powder state in electrode slurry, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the dispersibility deteriorates and electrode resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conductive material dispersion as an intermediary between the carbon nanotube powder and the electrode slurry. This dispersion contains carbon nanotubes already uniformly distributed in a conductive medium with specific viscosity and conductivity parameters, serving as a mediator that ensures both ease of mixing and excellent dispersibility in the final electrode slurry without requiring complex additional processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the conductive material dispersion including viscosity (0.1-10 Pa·s), conductivity (≥100 S/m), and carbon nanotube content (1-10 wt%) to achieve the desired balance between ease of manufacture and electrode performance. By controlling these parameters, the dispersion maintains good processability while ensuring excellent dispersibility and conductivity in the final electrode
2Reliability
If conductive material dispersion is used to improve dispersibility, then electrode conductivity improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive material dispersion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a conductive additive, a dispersant, and a viscosity modifier for the electrode slurry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additives and processing steps, thereby improving electrode conductivity without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity
3Productivity
If carbon nanotubes are not uniformly dispersed, then manufacturing is easier, but electrode resistance increases and power properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the conductive material dispersion before adding it to the electrode slurry. This preliminary action ensures uniform distribution of carbon nanotubes in advance, preventing aggregation and ensuring excellent conductivity and power properties in the final electrode without requiring complex mixing processes
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 improved conductive material dispersion achieves enhanced dispersibility and storage stability, resulting in a lithium secondary battery with lower internal resistance and improved power properties.
Implementation Method 1
a multivalent amine-based compound... Dispersibility and storage stability of the conductive material dispersion may be improved
Implementation Method 2
The conductive material may provide a conductivity between electrode active material particles to reduce a resistance in the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A conductive material dispersion, an electrode slurry and a lithium secondary battery, where the conductive material dispersion includes a conductive material including carbon nanotubes, a hydrogenated nitrile-based copolymer, a multivalent amine-based compound, and a solvent, the electrode slurry includes the conductive material dispersion, and the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode active material layer formed from the electrode slurry. An amine value of the conductive material dispersion is 5 mgKOH/g to 30 mgKOH/g.