CNT Conductive Pigment Paste for Stable High-Solids Battery Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive pigment pastes used in lithium ion batteries face challenges in achieving excellent pigment dispersibility, storage stability, and appropriate viscosity at high pigment concentrations, which affects the performance and longevity of the battery electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A conductive pigment paste formulation comprising a pigment dispersion resin with polar functional groups, carbon nanotubes, a fluororesin, and a high-polarity low-molecular weight amine compound, optimized to maintain low viscosity and enhance storage stability, is developed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high pigment concentration is used in conductive pigment paste, then productivity and conductivity are improved, but pigment dispersibility and storage stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific binder resin as an intermediary substance that mediates between pigment particles at high concentrations. This binder resin with controlled molecular weight and functional groups prevents direct aggregation of pigment particles while maintaining high pigment content, thus improving storage stability without sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including binder resin molecular weight (5,000-50,000), functional group concentration (0.3-23 mmol/g), and pigment concentration to achieve the desired balance. By precisely controlling these parameters, the formulation maintains both high productivity and storage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high pigment concentration is used in conductive pigment paste, then conductivity is improved, but pigment dispersibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconductivityVSAvoidpigment dispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The binder resin acts as a mediator that separates and distributes pigment particles uniformly throughout the paste. This intermediary substance ensures that even at high pigment concentrations, particles remain well-dispersed and do not aggregate, maintaining both conductivity and dispersibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining conductive pigment with specifically designed binder resin. This composite formulation leverages the synergistic effects of the components to achieve both high conductivity through pigment networks and good dispersibility through the binder matrix

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If usage amount of pigment dispersion resin is reduced, then productivity is improved, but storage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameters of the binder resin including molecular weight (5,000-50,000) and functional group concentration (0.3-23 mmol/g). These parameter optimizations allow the resin to provide maximum stabilization effect at reduced usage amounts, improving productivity while maintaining storage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the essential stabilizing functions in specific molecular weight ranges and functional group types of the binder resin. This targeted approach ensures that the reduced amount of resin still provides sufficient stabilization where needed, maintaining storage stability with lower overall usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 formulation achieves excellent pigment dispersibility and storage stability, leading to improved battery performance and electrode conductivity, even at high pigment concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

the high-polarity low-molecular weight component (E) contains an amine compound (E1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the pigment dispersion resin (A) contains at least one polar functional group selected from the group consisting of an amide group, an imide group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group, a silanol group, a cyano group, and a pyrrolidone group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDipole interaction: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250006940A1Conductive pigment paste, mixture paste, and electrode for lithium ion battery
Publication Date: 2025.01.02 KANSAI PAINT CO LTD

AI summary

A conductive pigment paste contains a pigment dispersion resin (A), a conductive pigment (B), a solvent (C), a fluororesin (D), and a high-polarity low-molecular weight component (E). The pigment dispersion resin (A) contains at least one polar functional group selected from the group consisting of an amide group, an imide group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate group, a phosphate group, a silanol group, a cyano group, and a pyrrolidone group. A concentration of the polar functional group in the pigment dispersion resin (A) is 0.3 mmol/g or greater and 23 mmol/g or less. The conductive pigment (B) contains carbon nanotubes (B1). The high-polarity low-molecular weight component (E) contains an amine compound (E1). The conductive pigment paste can be use for a mixture paste and a lithium ion battery electrode.